SYNOPSIS: you have a super secret special power: mind reading, and while working as a barista at your mother's cafe, you meet yoon jeonghan: a charming, handsome, and very clever young man... who also happens to be a pathological liar.
cameos: joshua and s.coups from svt, and momo, nayeon, and tzuyu from twice
warnings: cursing, mentions of food, lying, flirting, mentions of witches, mentions/insinuations of reader's period (not actually on it tho), jeonghan may be slightly ooc in this, long ahh timeskips because i was struggling!
wc: 2.4k (in the written parts)
mental dialogue will be in italics, flashbacks in bold
author's note: i would like to give a big thank you to my amazing beautiful gorjus rhinnie @himewonu for giving me this idea and helping me w this fic !! and also my babays noonoo @moonkyeom/ @dokries and rania @wheeboo for also helping me write so much of this and listening to me tweak out ๐ also lowk feel like i lost the plot of jeonghan's pathalogical lying-ness so pls forgive me if u noticed that too... also please have mercy on me this is my first fully written fic and not my usual hcs.. so im still trying to figure out the little things in writing ๐๐๐ฝ
author's note (cont.): all the matcha flavors are from blank street AND no hate to ube im ngl i haven't even tried it, the hate is just for the plot AND starbucks drinks mentioned BUT I DO NOT SUPPORT STARBUCKS AT ALL!!! (free palestine! ๐) this is just for the plot ๐๐ฝ AND this has been sitting my drafts and being written since july so um if this sounds like its out of season... ignore it๐ฌ
also!!! part of this, specifically the flashback, was inspired by @jayflrt's a stoner's guide to starbucks
"Here you go, Jeonghan, your iced americano and croissant! Would you like extra napkins with that?"
"Oh yeah, sure." I don't even need these, what the hell am I saying?
With a slightly puzzled look on your face, you hand him the napkins anyway. "Here are your napkins, sir. Enjoy your meal!"
He watches you in awe and also slight confusion as to why he just got a whole stack of napkins without reason.
You've had this power for as long as you could remember. You were around the age of 10 when you truly realized that you could hear the thoughts of your friends, teachers, and even your own parents.
Has life been hard dealing with this? A lot of times, yeah. You've gotten into quite a few dilemmas due to your power, like how you found out about your birthday gifts that were a supposed 'surprise' as a child, or how you found out your ex-boyfriend was trying to hit on other girls on Instagram.
Sometimes, the curiosity was too hard to resist, and it was only natural for you to just take a tiny peek into the heads of your friends or first dates, just so you could get an idea of whatโs going on.
The same applies to customers; Since you're a barista, you've come across many people asking you about new drinks or recommendations on their order, so you usually read into their heads to find what they like for the right recommendations.
It definitely entertained you with some customersโฆ namely, Yoon Jeonghan, who always seemed confused at his own lying.
หยฐโข*โโท.*โก
"Good morning, Jeonghan! Would you like to try something from our new line of matcha-flavored drinks?" you say, with your signature customer service smile on your face.
"Could you recommend something?" Fuck, I was supposed to get the usual! What am I doing? I don't even LIKE matcha...
You try your best to hide the confusion on your face and proceed to recommend to him your favorite, "I love the strawberry shortcake matcha! It's perfect for people new to matcha, or those who aren't big fans of it."
How the hell did she know I didn't like matcha...
"Y-yeah sure, I'll try the strawberry shortcake! Could I get a strawberry donut with that? Thanks." Jeonghan stutters out, a little embarrassed that he just agreed to drink something so performative.
You smile, "Of course! Anything else?"
"Nope, that's all."
What the hell does Cheol mean by "I have a crush on yn???" Jeonghan thinks with furrowed brows, staring deep into his text messages.
FLASHBACK TO LAST WEEK:
Jeonghan is staring. At you.
He's staring with such an intense gaze as you swiftly move around your coworker with your classic "focused work mode" face: brows furrowed and tongue slightly stuck out as you try making customers' drinks as fast as you can.
He finds your little habits cute, and as much as he's tried to deny it, he's starting to find you cute, too. He's noticed how your smile seems to be brighter when you look at him, your sweet voice while calling customers' names, and your big, sparkly eyes under the dim cafe lighting.
Huh. He's never realized how pretty you were until now.
He's snapped out of his trance, utterly confused at what he's been doing this whole time.
"Yo, y'know you've been staring at yn for the past 5 minutes, right?" Joshua starts.
"Are you sure you aren't starting to think she's really cute? Or that you actually have some attraction towards her?" Seungcheol adds.
Jeonghan is quick to shut those ideas down, "What? No! I was, uhh, just staring at the signboard. I guess I just zoned out."
"Hm, I didn't know there was a signboard hovering over Yn's head this whole time." Seungcheol quips.
"Shut up!" Jeonghan shoots back.
OPERATION JEONGYN: DAY 1
"G'morning Jeonghan! What would you like to order today? I'm assuming the usual?" You chirp, flashing Jeonghan a bright smile.
"U-uh, actually.. No! I was wondering if I could order a small taro milk tea? I'm trying something new every day to... uhh... expand my palate! Heh..."
Oh, I am SO beating Joshua's ass when I get home... I donโt even fucking like taro! Itโs okay! At least I can try and get close to Yn...
You now look like you're gonna jump out of your own skin after hearing that.
"Are you okay, Ynnie?" he asks, looking at you, confused.
Suddenly flustered, you stutter out, "H-Huh? Oh no, I'm fine! Just got one of those cold jitters! And by the way--- Taro is my favorite flavor of milk tea! I'm sure you'll love it!"
Now, you're frantically trying to make the best taro milk tea you've ever made in your entire life---because your crush most definitely cannot go the rest of his life not trying or liking taro milk tea.
And maybe, so you can get him to like you back.
Somehow, under some sort of miracle, Yoon Jeonghan liked the drink.
What the hell did she put in this???? I remember taro tasting like absolute booty... Was it even taro? I think booty something--ooby? Oops. I'll ask Cheol later, I guess...
หยฐโข*โโท.*โก
OPERATION JEONGYN: DAY 2
"Good morning Ynnie! I was hoping to try something new again today. Do you have any recommendations?" Jeonghan asks with a small smile.
I just gotta do this for like two more weeks... I got this! I NEED MY BLACK COFFEE. It's okay! I'll get Yn, and she'll fall in love with me, and we'll live happily ever after! Just two. more. weeks.
You smile brighter than you planned to.
"Of course, Jeonghan! Since you're trying new things, I'll give you the unicorn frappeโwith caffeineโso you'll still get your energy! It's a mix of cotton candy and birthday cake flavoring, so I hope you'll like the sweetness."
Your enthusiasm and willingness to help him leaves him mesmerizedโas if he isn't alreadyโand just admiring how cute you look in your uniform with your hair pinned back, your bangs and strands of hair falling beneath your visor. To him, you look like the epitome of beauty.
His eye slightly twitches at the sound of unicorn, though.
Are you kidding me? A UNICORN frappe. If I get clowned for this, I'm going to riot against those two. The things I do for love....
หยฐโข*โโท.*โก
OPERATION JEONGYN: DAY 16
You've been growing closer and bolder with Jeonghan these past few days... And today is the day.
You're going to write your phone number. On his cup.
The extra chit-chat you've engaged in with him simply isn't enough. You feel the need to talk to him even more, get to know him better, and make him absolutely swoon for youโas if he isn't already.
"Jeonghan! Here's your caramel ribbon crunch frappe! I hope you enjoy it!" you giggle.
Confused as to why you're extra giddy today, he still gladly accepts the drink. A little black heart peeks out from the side of his cup, so he turns it around and finds "Hi! I would love to talk to you more outside the cafe! Hmu? - XXX-XXX-XXXX" written.
His face goes beet red.
HOLY SHIT. She just gave me her number. Yoon Jeonghan, you need to act chill and nonchalant. And text her. Like right now.
He flashes you a nervous smile and a thumbs up as he speed walks out of the cafe.
FRIDAY, 6:00 P.M.
Jeonghan looks up from his phone, glancing around to see whether you're here or not. The clock ticks 7:00 p.m.
"Hey Jeonghan! I'm here!"
He turns around, and his breath hitches. You're dressed in a cute, casual lookโ some jeans and your favorite top, paired with your shoulder bag โbut he thinks you're absolutely stunning.
You cock your head slightly to the side. "Is something wrong, Hannie?"
"Oh-uh, no! Not at all... You just look... really pretty..." he blurts out.
Oh my gosh, bro, you're not supposed to confess yet! Why can't you wait until the Ferris wheel...
Now you look like you've seen a ghost, your palms start to feel clammy, and your smile stiffens.
Oh my god. OH MY GOD? The man of my dreams is going to confess. to me. TODAY?
Without thinking any further, you bolt in the opposite direction. Jeonghan is utterly confused at this, because he thought he had a chance... but ultimately, he's worried why you would suddenly run off like that.
"YN? Where are you going?!" he shouts.
You're frantically running to the bathroom, texting the girls about what to do. At the same time, Jeonghan texts the boys, fearing the possibilities of what might be going on in your head.
You're back at your meeting place, and you spot Jeonghan โwho looks distraught as hellโ constantly glancing up and down from his phone until he spots you. He jumps up from the bench and immediately runs toward you.
"Are you okay? What happened? Are you feeling unwell? Or- Or were you trying to escape me? Did I do something wrong?"
"OH! NO! I just really badly, uhhh, had to use the bathroom! Y'know how girls are..."ย
"Oh, is today not a good time to hang out then? Or are you not feeling well? We could always- "
"No! I'll be fine, Jeonghan. Let's go to the boardwalk!"
As you both walk along the boardwalk, Jeonghan's pinky subtly intertwines with yours. Your heart jumps a little at the small gesture, and you're unaware that your cheeks have become rosier than your blush.ย
Trying to distract yourself, you look towards the sea and pier, the glittering lights of the Ferris wheel and various rides in front of you, people's joyful screams and cheers drowning out your thoughts until...
"Hey, let's go check out that seafood restaurant over there!" Jeonghan smiles at you with a cute, boyish grin.
His words snap you out of your trance, and you shyly agree, continuing to walk alongside him with interlocked pinkies.ย
Jeonghan starts thinking about how he's going to handle this confession. How is he going to convince you to date him? Do you even like him back? You probably don't, and he's probably just another eager regular at the cafe. But he is willing to take a chance with you, even though he's been lying his way to attract you.
หยฐโข*โโท.*โก
โOh my god, these pastries look so cute! Should we get some?โ
โLook at those balloons with the lights!โ
โLetโs get some gelato!โ
Youโve been pulling Jeonghan all over the boardwalk, stall-to-stall, vendor-to-vendor, exploring so many snacks and knick-knacks until your face lights up at the sight of the Ferris wheel.
โJeonghan, let's go on the Ferris wheel!โ Jeonghan stumbles as you start pulling him in that direction, and thatโs when he decides heโll confess to you on the ride. Little does he know, thoughโฆ
หยฐโข*โโท.*โก
Once youโre settled in the Ferris wheel cart, you realize how little space there actually is between you and Jeonghan. You turn to look at him, and your cheeks heat up at the fact that his face is barely a foot away from yours. He looks deep into your eyes as you quickly look away, trying to figure out what youโre going to say. As you look back at himโฆ
โI have something to tell you.โ
โCan I tell you something?โ
You both blurt out at the same time.
โY-you go first, Jeonghan!โ You tell him.
โOh no, ladies first! You can start.โ
โOkayโฆ I want to confess. I like you. A lot. And I have for a whileโฆ Iโve been seeing you at the cafe for so long and around uni and thought you were really handsome and sweet, but I never got the courage to make any moves besides small talk until the day I gave you my phone numberโฆโ
Jeonghanโs eyes widen, and his smile falters.ย
โItโs okay if you donโt like me back! I just wanted to tell you how I felt!โย
โNO- Not at all, actually. Iโm just shocked because I was going to tell you the same thing just now. Iโve also really liked you for a while, with how cute you looked working as a barista and how sweet you always are to me when Iโm at the cafe every day.โ
Your words get caught in your throat. You knew he liked you back, but he actually liked you back, and now youโre wondering whether you should tell him that you knew. He takes your hand and gazes softly at your face, eyes flickering between your eyes and lips.ย
โ...May I?โย
You give him a tiny nod as he leans and softly presses his lips against yours in a chaste kiss.ย
After you pull away, you mumble something to Jeonghan.
โHuh? Whatโd you say?โ
โI want to tell you a secretโฆ And confess something elseโฆ But you have to promise me you wonโt tell anyone about this!โ You say shyly.
He holds up a pinky, waiting for you to interlock yours with his.
โI promise! Now what is it?โ
โI know how to read minds. Iโve had this power since I was young, and today I kind of, sort of read yours by accident at the beginning of our date and found out that you liked me back.โ
Jeonghanโs eyes pop out of their sockets, and his jaw drops to the floor.ย
He starts rambling. โWHAT?!? Wait- Is that why you ran away?? And does this mean youโve been able to read my mind this whole time??? Do you even read your customersโ minds?โ
You nod sheepishly as the boy next to you starts spiraling.
โOh my godโฆ WAIT- Does this also mean youโve read my mind all those times I ordered ridiculous drinks at the cafe? I swear I was going to show you the real meโฆ I just wanted to impress you firstโฆโ
โYeah.. Donโt worry about it! I still appreciate the lengths you went for me! How did you even know I liked all those drinks?โ
โEhhโฆ I just got a vibe from you, yโknow!โ He giggles, and he grabs your hand as the ride comes to a halt, and leads you out of the cart. And for the first time since this little crush started, you don't need to read his mind to know that this is real.
this work of fiction belongs to user shuahaes/starshuas. please do not copy or repost. reblogs are encouraged!
the lion does not concern itself with such trivial matters as "dk will be 28 next year" and "dk is enlisting soon" and "itll be 2027 when dk comes back"
TAGS & WARNINGS ๐ด non-idol au, short, no plot, fluff, implied friends to lovers, physical touching, seokmin secretly admires you, soft seokmin hours are back
SUMMARY ๐ด you and two seokmin were just two lost stars trying to light up the dark.
LYR'S SIDENOTES ๐ด felt like writing something cutesy for seokmin so here we are!! i've been listening to the song 'clocks' by coldplay on repeat recently so this fic is supposed to be inspired by it!! its also inspired by dk's cover of 'lost stars' by adam levine ๐ญ hope you all enjoy!
(edit: we're one follower away from 600 so i'm just going to say my thanks ahead of time!! thank you all for the love and support ๐you all are the reason i keep writing)
NOW PLAYING ๐ด clocks (coldplay)
WORD COUNT 433 ๐ด FOR @kstrucknet
seokmin could see the stars in your eyes.
he could see every speck, reflecting softly in your pretty eyes as you stared at the pitch-black sky. each star seemed to have its own life in your eyes as you scanned the never-ending horizon with wonder, and seokmin made a mental note about how you made even stars pale with how bright you shined.
"you're studying me like i'm a star or something," your voice is light as you thread your fingers through the cold grass under you. seokmin is smiling from ear to ear, a light blush dusting his cheek as he shrugs.
"you are a star though. to me, anyways." seokmin adds quickly, brown eyes crinkling at the corners as he notices how warm your laugh sounds when it lilts and tilts, mixing in with the summer night breeze.
if this is what love felt like, seokmin wanted you to be able to feel it too.
"can i hold your hand?" seokmin's eyes are on yours before you can open your mouth to speak, and all of your thoughts fly out the window before you can answer the question. your heart seems to slow down, beats coming minute by minute as the world freezes around you.
seokmin's already drawing towards you, inches away from your face as he tucks a piece of loose hair behind your ear. the feeling of his finger lightly tracing your ear feels different, and you nod, letting seokmin's warm hand engulf yours as the two of you sit silently.
"you know, i've wanted this for a long time."
seokmin's voice is so soft you can barely believe it's him, and he sets his camera down on the grass, making the move to scoot closer to you. his warm cologne washes over you the second he moves, and you can smell it in his hair as he turns to you.
"you have?" you ask simply, too enamored in the way seokmin's looking at you. "i have."
"i've wanted to hold your hand and tell you how much i love you for god knows how long." seokmin's eyes go from your blushing face to your hand in the grass, and your heart flutters at the sight.
"i'm glad you did," you say softly, smiling at seokmin before you bury your face into your jacket.
even though it's silent between you two, you can tell something has changed; seokmin's grip on your hand feels more sure now, and you can lean your head on seokmin's shoulder with a clear conscience as the two of you stare up at the sky.
Hello everyone! College has been a little crazy, but Iโm finally opening commissions again for the summer! Feel free to message me if interested ๐
Some General rules (again)!
Will draw:
- Fanart
- OCs
- Real People
Wonโt Draw:
- Heavy Mecha
- NSFW
- Heavy Gore
Additional info:
- Prices all in USD, Payment upfront through PayPal or E-transfer
- No refunds after sketch process is completed
- If you want something specific, providing references helps a lot!
- I will update you with a on the sketch and flat colours if you want anything changed, feel free to ask anytime how your commission is going!
- When completed, the final piece(s) will be sent through email/drive in PNG form for quality (I am open to other methods if needed!)
- Anything not listed specifically above might be something Iโm not super confident with yet, but if you are interested just ask me!
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ : a series!
[7 OF 11 NOW CUFFED!] ; it's cuffing season! โ and the boyz are in for quite the adventure as they learn to juggle school, work, friends, and love.
starring: the boyz, f!reader
genre: college au, fluff, humor, comfort, assorted pairings
word count: 216k/?? // at least 20k+ words per part
**note: the main plotline (the 4 szns) can be read completely as stand-alones. all other spin-offs can also technically be read as stand-alones, but some might require context from the main plotline. (all prev yns will appear as __!yn)
+ ADD THIS TO YOUR LIST (taglist form: open)
a/n: i'm very excited for this series tbh and i really hope i retain the strength to finish it ๐คง a great way to help me out tho is to blow this post up by reblogging, esp since tumblr gatekeeps the actual fics when they're published :')
SEASON ONE: PARTY PEOPLE โ jacob b.
yours and jacob's mutual friend kevin is convinced that you're meant to be, even if he only just met you. (trailer, 34k)
SEASON TWO: FLIGHT RISK โ eric s.
you and eric met on an airplane, and that's where you thought it would end, but clearly the universe has a different plan in mind. (trailer, 30k)
SEASON THREE: OFF THE RECORD โ j. changmin (parts ๐, ๐๐)
everyone thinks changmin is cute and harmless, but you know that's not who he really is. (trailer, 36k)
SEASON FOUR: AIN'T NO ROMEO โ l. hyunjae
your best friend hyunjae ain't no romeo, but you're still in love... so let's hope he doesn't find out you wrote a whole play about him! (trailer, 30k)
โ spin-offs & side adventures.
RHAPSODY ANONYMOUS โ k. sunwoo
you never thought your humble, little podcast would ever touch somebody's soul like it did one kim sunwoo's. (trailer, 28k)
RESCUE PROTOCOL โ kevin m.
another summer break, another annual trip to the lake! except, it seems like when you and kev get there, you'll have to make some tweaks to the original rescue protocol. (trailer, 29k)
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE โ k. younghoon
neither you nor younghoon were party people, but you did find love in the convenience store down the block. (trailer, 29k)
HOT COMMODITY โ j. haknyeon
no matter how many times he's been to this restaurant, haknyeon swears he's not just here for the cute waitress. (trailer, __)
PINKY SWEAR โ c. chanhee
you and chanhee are far from the years of pinky swears, but here you are, still lacing fingers after all this time. (trailer, __)
THE REVEAL โ l. sangyeon
does sangyeon really have a secret girlfriend? well... let's find out. (trailer, __)
CLASS(Y) ACTION โ l. juyeon
nothing is more cutthroat than the legal sphere, and sometimes we have to find allies in the strangest placesโeven if he spills coffee on you. (trailer, __)
EXTRA/"DELETED" SCENES
section under construction.
EXTRA, EXTRA CONTENT
โ QUIZZES!
lmk what u got for a free smooch and a cookie ๐คธโโ๏ธ๐ฅฐ
which love in unity boy will you be cuffing this year? (uquiz)
which love in unity boy will you be cuffing this school year? (**NEW & IMPROVED VER)
love in unity trivia !! for the main plot only (uquiz)
โ ALT. READING ORDERS
if u want to read this series in timeline order, this is how it should be done: jacob/younghoon, eric/haknyeon, changmin/sunwoo, hyunjae/chanhee, sangyeon, kevin, juyeon
if u wanna read sungbeam's favorites (no particular order): at your convenience, ain't no romeo, (more to be decided!)
โ SERIES TAGS: general series. any wip can be searched via "wip: _____" (usually just the initials, except for party people); or "the (member) ficโข"
jihoon shyly walks up to the piano at the insistence of his best friends. they're all a little tipsy, cheering him on from their corner of the quaint restaurant, and he has his own blush rising high up on his cheeks but it's not from the alcohol. he gingerly sits down on the stool and glides his fingers across the piano keys, each note ringing in his ear as he takes a deep breath. he hears his friends spurring him on with loud exclamations and jihoon starts to play.
it's easy. it comes to him like breathing, like walking, like it flowed from every ounce of his being out his fingertips and into the world. he continues to play effortlessly, only startling when he hears a voice singing along to the words and melody. jihoon looks to his right and sees you, shyly glancing at him as you followed along to his music. the cheers grow louder but nothing could rival the beating of your heart, booming like fireworks in your chest as jihoon gives you a smile, fingers moving effortlessly amongst the keys.
the song comes to a close and the people around you whoop and cheer. jihoon could hear his friends whistle from the corner but it's drowned out by your voice reaching his ears. "you sounded great!" he says, somehow winded, like you've stolen all the air from his lungs as you respond with red dusting your cheeks. "thanks! you played really well too..."
"he's single!!!" he hears his friends chime in as the same time your friends go, "they're single!!!" you both stared at each other before bursting out in laughter. with a not-so-nonchalant shrug, jihoon looks away from your magnetic eyes, "do you wanna maybe get a drink together sometime?"
with a laugh that reminds jihoon of the piano keys he was just playing, you respond, "i'd like that!"
wonwoo could barely resist saying no to you when you approached him with your phone in hand. you had shown him this trend you'd seen recently, even if it was a little old by now, of girls and their partners recreating scenes from the books they read. you showed him the trend just a bit ago and then propped your phone up excitedly against a water bottle to record it. he looks unsure and sort of embarrassed but you kiss his cheek and reassure him that this is just for your eyes only.
"come on, besides! you're a good actor!" you practically purr, patting his chest lightly before situating yourself in your spot.
your boyfriend chews on his bottom lip, still not fully convinced. "no, it's embarrassing. i'm always playing the bad, cold guy," he says, all the while heading to his spot for the scene too.
you're now leaning against the door frame, looking up at him with those eyes he could never say no to. it's his biggest weakness. he knew you knew it because you tend to abuse that power. "you're not being a bad guy here! you'll be the extremely hot guy i'll fawn over. nowโฆ ready?" as ready as wonwoo would ever be, he nods.
it takes three seconds and a deep breath. you can see the look in his eyes change, a hand coming up to cup your jaw ever so gently, his touch feather-light, that it took all of your willpower to not gasp right there and then. and when his thumb travels from where it was on your cheek to your lower lip, you swear you felt your entire body flare up at once, like a spell had been put on you. "cut!" you blurted out, much to the delight of your boyfriend as you rushed to end the recording.
"was that good?" wonwoo asked between chuckles.
"mhm, mhm," you reply, rushed, heart beating too fast. "very good, you did great."
ย โ a series of the stories of the inhabitants of house nr 17 on Serenity Street (released in no particular order).ย
CHOI SEUNGCHEOL: Your ex has moved into the apartment across from you and suddenly you find yourself painting your shared memories as if you never stopped adoring him.
release: TBA
WHEREโS THE FUN IN THAT?ย (10.3k)
YOON JEONGHAN: The mailman keeps mixing up your mail nearly every day. The guy who gets your mail often demands a gift of some sort in return for your stuff.
LIES AND BUTTERFLIES (19k)
JOSHUA HONG: Your roommate begged you to pretend to date him while his mom is in town for the month. The little crush youโve had on him will either become your best friend or worst obstacle on this quest.
[TEASER]
WEN JUNHUI: A couple of the guys from your building go to the same college as you. It is nice to have someone walk you home every day, especially the one who always gets you a snack on the way back.ย
release: TBA
YOU CHANGED EVERYTHINGย (10.6k)
KWON SOONYOUNG: Two runaways meet in a bar and decide to get an apartment together to escape their worries. Their relationship has fuzzy borders from then on as they explore each otherโs past and worries.
[TEASER]
DARLINGย (9k)
JEON WONWOO: Your boyfriend has been trying to propose to you all week, but heโs starting to wonder if he should wait until youโve settled into your new apartment.
[TEASER]
LEE JIHOON: You discover there is a notice board on floor 1. You write a silly note and stick it there. The next morning you find itโs been replaced by a reply to your note.
release: TBA
DREAMERSย (10.9k)
LEE SEOKMIN: Sleepwalking is a nasty issue. You find yourself in the correct building but wrong apartment, sharing a room with a ridiculously cute boy who seems to find it amusing.
KIM MINGYU: Your neighbour is disturbed by the smell of burnt food coming from your apartment every other day. Heโs now on a quest to teach you to cook.
release: TBA
HAPPY TO HELP (8k)
XU MINGHAO: The heating in your apartment is broken and the landlord is not in a rush to fix it. By the time you gather the courage to ask your neighbour for help, youโre sick and now heโs stuck nursing you for a week.
[TEASER]
THE FIRST STEPย (6k)
BOO SEUNGKWAN: Your neighbour witnessed your mental breakdown and decided to take you under his protective wing.ย
[TEASER]
THE (CAT)PARENT TRAPย (8.3k)
VERNON CHWE: You start feeding what appears to be a pair of neighbourhood cats. Turns out they belong to the cute guy living in the rooftop apartment.
LEE CHAN: You find mysterious flowers and plants on your doorstep twice a week with an encouraging handwritten note. Who is this secret admirer?
um hi here are little bits of wips :3 all of them are like, kinda abandoned rn but i'm trying!!
popular! seungkwan x introvert! reader
digging through his bag, seungkwan pulled out a jacket for you. โhere, wear it. if you're going to be here to keep me company then you will do it warm!โ
โbut wonโt you be cold once youโre out of practice?โ you held the jacket in your hands.
how svt cuddle, hoshi!
hoshi loves loves LOVES nuzzling into you. doesn't matter where, the neck? nuzzle. the top of the head? nuzzle. he also likes laying on top of you, he treats you as a personal pillow at all times, though it's usually just his head on you so he doesn't hurt you.
summer camp! (i don't actually have any ideas for this, so send some in if you have any!) it's all of svt but im considering making it a series where all the boys have an individual fic?
you looked fondly on the clearing, recalling so many memories from your childhood. soon, the campers from the city would be pouring into the field, excitedโor maybe, just a little peeved that they had to be separated from their family and friendsโ for the start of the summer.
wonwoo x implied aromantic! reader! (this is pretty self indulgent tbh. also, not all aromantic ppl never end up in relationships! it's a spectrum)
books and other hobbies occupied your attention. it's not like you never noticed cute people, you had eyes of course, but you chalked it up to just aesthetic attraction and not romantic. and when your college literature class first began, you assumed it was the same thing. jeon wonwoo was, objectively, really cute.
girl group stan! seungkwan x boy group stan! readerโ smau! (heavily HEAVILY wip. don't expect this anytime soon)
reader: โWHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT [IDOL] HUH???โ
seungkwan: โJIHYOS BETTER. JEALOUSY IS A DISEASE GET BETTER SOON๐โ
legally blonde au! elle! dk x emmett! reader, based more on the musical than the movie!
โsorry! i- that came out wrong. i don't mean to judge but, for a girl? who doesn't even like you?โ
โit's love!โ he argued. โi love her and she loves me,โ
โ...you sound insane, you know,โ
โi knowโฆโ he sighed, holding his head in his hands, โjust, we dated for years before this, we were together since senior year of high school!โ
college au! both reader and dk are leads of the same musical! dk x reader (yes this is also legally blonde based PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE I WAS IN A PHASE) (also, HEAVYYYY WIP. NOT CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON)
soulmate au! no one rn actually x reader! (this is the final boss of all my wips i started this back in october of last year so we'll find out if it makes it out of the trenches)
he grabbed your wrist, your compasses calming down at the touch.
โfound you,โ he grinned, eyes bright and breathless.
and that's it! feel free to come talk to me about your favs, maybe they'll make it out of the trenches<3
โcheol?โ you huffed, amused and smiling down at your fiancรฉ. โwhatโre you doing babe?โ
heโd been doing this every single night since he proposed to you without fail. right before you two went to bed during your nightly cuddles. heโd lay on top of youโ making sure his weight wasn't fully on youโ and start pecking you with kisses everywhere he could reach.
well, not everywhere. he placed his kisses in the same places every night, and you couldn't figure out the pattern at all.
โkissing you,โ he answered. โwas it not obvious enough?โ
you laughed, rubbing one hand up and down his back. โokay, let me rephrase. why are you kissing me in such random spots?โ
โyour moles,โ he placed another kiss, right on the small mole on your collarbone. โif i kiss them enough theyโll appear in our next life, and i'll be able to find you again,โ โhe kissed the one under your lips, right in the middle of your chinโ โand again.โ
you scrunch your nose up, smiling at how absolutely cheesy your fiancรฉ was being. you hadn't even realized he was kissing your moles, and usually you had an unconscious feel of where every single one you knew of was. you giggled ruffling up his hair with both hands and kissing his forehead. โwell then, i'll just have to start doing the same to you once you're done.โ
[ brotherโs best friend! kim mingyu x minghaoโs sis! reader | fluff ]
โY/n, weโre home!โ You groan while flipping the next page of your book on the couch.
You hear the front door close, then footsteps making their way closer.
โYouโre not going to greet your favorite brother?โ You let out a huff, placing your book down on your lap while holding the middle to save your page.
โMy only brother Minghao, canโt you see Iโm in the middle of reading-โ You stop mid-sentence because you notice Mingyu walk into the living room behind your brother.
Kim Mingyu, your brotherโs best friend, also your crush.
You recently grew feelings for Mingyu and ever since, you donโt know how to act around him.
You decide to look away and stare back at Minghao while rolling your eyes. โHao, donโt bother me so I can finish reading this,โ You hold up to show Minghao the book cover, โIโm going to get mad if you make me lose the page number.โ
Minghao shakes his head in defeat, motioning over to Mingyu to go to his room. โWhatever, see you later, sis.โ
You act nonchalant and pick your book back up, re-reading from where you left off.
โNice book,โ You hear from behind you. You quickly turn your head, only to find Mingyu smiling at you. He waves at you before walking down the hallway.
You place your book slightly down, sighing. There was no way you werenโt blushing from that.
You continue reading your book for an hour. Itโs around two-thirds complete when you start to feel your eyes closing and your head leaning more into the couch. You yawn out loud and the last thing you remember is seeing the sun set outside the living room window.
โY/n, Mom said to come down for dinner!โ You stir in your bed.
โHow long was I asleep for?โ You decide to sit up on your bed but feel weird. Your vision is covered by a yellow sticky note hanging on your forehead.
โWhat the?โ You grab the note and take it off, turning it over to observe it.
Minghao interrupts, opening your door wide and spotting you still in bed.
โCome on, letโs go.โ Minghao stands by your door and stares down at his phone screen, clearly waiting for you.
You look over and find your book gently placed on your nightstand. You stick the note on top of the book cover, before leaving your bedroom to go downstairs.
โDid Mingyu leave?โ You go down the stairs with Minghao and the smell of dinner hits your nose.
โYeah, he left earlier after he carried you to your room.โ Minghao looks up from his phone with a smirk, โSo, you like Mingyu?โ
ot13 hcs; if they played the roblox game dress to impress !!
warnings: some of this might be a bit ooc, other than that it's just minghao being a fashion ICON - and some members yelling
! NOT PROOFREAD !
a/n - omg amelia's writing again ๐ฑ and this time with a series !? ๐ฑ i hope u guys like it teehee AND I FINALLY FINISHED WRITING THIS BC I GOT MOTIVATION started in january and posted in september smh
on the podium every. single. round.
minghao, jeonghan, joshua, seungkwan
u just KNOW minghao has the best outfits. most definitely #1 on the podium every single round, and the evil twins and kwan 100% would be trying to either beat minghao or at least get on the podium with him, and since they have some of the best fashion sense in svt, they'd def end up winning
decent outfits, but are so unlucky that they never land on the podium ๐
seungcheol, jun, mingyu, wonwoo
these guys get flustered at the time limit and get into a rush to make and outfit. eventually pulls through and gets a pretty good outfit done, but get beat by minghao every single round. poor mingyu even gets less stars from some just so they keep this man from winning, and if it werent for the members, he would most likely be up on the podium during rounds (save mingyu)
doesn't understand theme, or struggles to make outfits
hoshi, dokyeom, dino
these guys find it hard to be on theme or even come up with something for it, save them, they're so confused and stick to simple outfits with whatever clothes they can. "the theme is rococo", 'WHAT IS ROCOCO?' and they spend time by trying to search up whatever that is, then realise there's such little items and they need vip for big dresses and fancy items, still get a decent amount of points for doing their best
extra: hoshi puts on the tiger print in every single outfit of his
could do better, but doesn't try
woozi, vernon
they don't get competetive until you truly convince them they should get competetive, so they play with the members to have some fun and see who did best, but if they really do start getting competetive, i think the others would start worrying about their scores and outfits, these two DO have good fashion sense and time management
SPECIAL: copies minghao's outfit to try and win
jeonghan
he's svt's #1 opp, of course he's gonna cheat in every single game! even fashion famous, meaning, when he's feeling devious, he cheats off of the others' outfits, but not just any of the members, minghao's outfit specifically-- as part of hannie's plan to try and beat them all in every game ๐ง
SYNOPSIS. in which you and joshua are simply different in more ways than one, yet only seem to find a common ground in struggling to chase your dreams. so why does life keep throwing you two at each other, despite your different worlds, and why does it feel so terrifyingly right?
PAIRING. musician!joshua hong x deaf-artist!reader (ft. cafe owner!jeonghan, musician!seokmin, best friend!seungkwan, best friend!wheein, producer!jihoon)
GENRE. fluff, slice of life, kdrama romance-esque, mild angst, strangers to friends to lovers, slow burn
WARNINGS/TAGS. cursing, shua and reader has some self-doubt issues :(, someone makes insensitive comments about reader, mention of alcohol (beer), mention of cigarettes, everyone ships them, kissing, terms of endearment, Softie Domestic Joshuaโข, it conveniently rains when they're together, this is 85% fluff and 15% plot and the brainrot was giving me an existential crisis, honestly there's not much warnings it's just a love story <3
WORD COUNT (FOR PART ONE). 20k
WORD COUNT (FOR FULL FIC). 37k
notes: after 7 months (minus the 2 months i lowkey abandoned this oop), it's done! this fic could have honestly been 20k words, but the brainrot refused to do so. inspired from the kdrama of the same name and the jdrama Aishiteiru to Itte Kure. any uses/descriptions of sign language (ASL) throughout the story is researched! expressing my love to all my mooties who suffered listening to me talk abt this fic. i hope this fic being long doesn't bore you all to death <3
funny enough, this was also supposed to be a very very very belated bday fic to @slytherinshua LMFAO. ty to @bananabubble for also helping me a lot with this fic too!
part one | part two
โOkay, so to recap: the espresso machines are on the right side of the counter, just next to the pastry display. You'll get familiar with them really easily. The barista station is behind them, where all the little doohickeys are, yaddi-yaddi-yaddaโฆโ
โAren't you supposed to be teaching me where everything is?โ Joshua asks in slight annoyance after securing the apron around his waist.
Jeonghan just chugs a wet, dripping rag in his direction, narrowly missing Joshua's head and landing with a damp plop on the counter. Then he wipes his hands on his apron, shooting a small wink at the other man. โPatience, grasshopper.โ
โWhy did you decide to hire me again?โ
โSo I can finally kick you out of my apartment," Jeonghan answers, a playful bite to his voice, and Joshua only rolls his own eyes. โin a non-violent way, of course.โ
โYou're actually an imbecile, Yoon Jeonghan.โ
โOh, but you love me.โ Jeonghan smirks, plucking the wet rag from the counter and shoving it in Joshua's hand. โChop-chop, grasshopper, you got a whole day ahead of you.โ
Joshua Hong was never one to detest helping out a friend๐his best friend, to be specific. He knew Jeonghan was doing this in order to help him out as he had been living under the man's roof for the past two years, with the promise of finding a new place testing his patience. Even with his nightly gigs at the busking centre in the middle of town, having a day job to earn some extra money seemed like a very good idea.ย
But he seriously doesn't understand how Jeonghan managed to open up his own cafรฉ in the first place. It's remarkable, actually.
The day is surprisingly slow. Even with the cafรฉ being in the mere heart of the city and amidst the morning and afternoon rush, barely any pastries were taken from the display. The only sounds come from the rhythmic ticking of the antique clock on the wall, and the obnoxious screech of the stool that Jeonghan sits on not that far away.
However after some time, the familiar, soft chime of the door echoes throughout the cafรฉ, announcing the arrival of a customer. Joshua finds his head immediately snapping up after fumbling with the frother, a welcoming smile dawning across his face as he smooths his apron and takes his place at the register.ย
The figure in front of him is momentarily enveloped by the sunlight that seeps through the large window panes. He waits for them to step fully into the warm glow of the cafรฉ, his eyes drawn to the way they hold themselves๐shoulders slightly hunched, hands tucked deep within the pockets of a lightweight jacket, and seemingly a book tucked under their shoulders. Their steps are slow, soft even as they approach the counter, and a smile, gentle and hesitant, plays on their lips.
โHi, welcome in," Joshua greets politely. โWhat can I get for you today?โ
You find yourself gazing at the unfamiliar barista in front of you with meticulous curiosity, before letting your eyes drift to the nametag on his shirt: Joshua. His eyes immediately dart down to your hands that you lifted up on instinct, then hesitation gnaws at you, and suddenly you drop your hands back to your sides again.
โOur menu is up here.โ Joshua motions above his head. โand our pastries are over here, if you would like to take a look.โ
You wave your hand dismissively, then fumble for your phone, showing him an order written on the screen.
hot vanilla latte
- extra foam
- name is y/n
โHot vanilla latte, extra foam?โ Joshua repeats, confirming the order with a friendly smile, and the response he gets is a pair of thumbs-up. โAnd the name is... Y/N?โ
Your face lights up, feeling some heat threaten up your neck as you offer a small nod to confirm.
There's something endearing that blooms in Joshua's chest as he punches the order down on the register. The moment is stretched with long silence before he watches as you quickly turn around to head to the outdoor sitting of the cafรฉ. He sees you place yourself down at one of the seats, back turned towards him, and all he could do is let his eyes linger for a beat longer before realising that he actually has to make your order.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air as he sets to work. He fumbles slightly, steaming the milk for your latte and carefully (and clumsily) creating a cloud of airy foam.
When he places the mug on the counter, his eyes drift back to where you sat outside, the slight breeze and midday sun casting down on the patio. He notices that you're hunched over, seemingly concentrating on something, and he can't help but wonder what occupies your thoughts. With the latte in hand, he heads towards the door, the bell above the door softly chiming.ย
The sun paints the city in dappled gold, and a light breeze sways through the air and catches a strand of your hair that floats like a wisp. It's a picture-perfect scene, and Joshua thinks you fit right into it, all while hunched over a small sketchbook and pencil in your hand flying across the page.
He hesitates right behind you, unsure how to get your attention without startling you. Every option that he mulls over seems intrusive and jarring.
In the end, Joshua decides on a gentle tap on your shoulder. As his fingers make contact with your shoulder, a sudden jolt runs through your body, and you visibly startle, your hand flinching involuntarily and coming in contact with the mug in Joshua's hand.
The glass mug slips from Joshua's grasp, crashing down to the floor in thousands of tiny shards. Hot coffee splashes, hitting the skin of both of your hands and splattering on your sketchbook. Gasps fly from both your lips, echoing throughout the quiet patio. You wince in your seat, nearly causing you to stumble off but you manage to catch yourself.
For a long moment, Joshua could only find himself frozen, yet when he notices the pained look on your face, he instinctively reaches out, grabbing your hand without thinking. Your fingers curl around his in a startled reflex, your skin warm against his own. He cradles your hand in his, pressing his palm against your skin, as if trying to shield you from the worst of the heat and the glass scattered around the two of you.
Adrenaline courses through him as he pulls your hand back, examining it frantically. A thin red line crosses near your thumb, a tiny bead of blood sprouting at its edge. Panic claws at his throat, but he forces himself to stay calm. You're watching him, eyes wide with a mix of shock and pain, and he sees his own fear reflected in your pupils.
โCrap, I-I'm so sorry!โ he blurts out, voice rough with regret. โAre you okay? I shouldn't have... I should have been more carefulโฆโ
You watch as Joshua's eyes scan your hand, the features of his face noticeably soft and etched with concern. The warmth of his hand cradling yours sends a jolt through you, something unfamiliar yet strangely comforting.
When you look back up at him, he asks if you're okay again, your gaze focusing in on his lips then back up at his eyes. You can tell he's worried๐he even seems breathless from all the panic too. Swallowing a lump in your throat, you silently answer with a nod.
The air seems to thicken with awkwardness. Joshua's gaze lingers down on your hand cradled in his trembling ones, the sight of a tiny cut on the flesh between your thumb and index finger sending a fresh wave of shame to come crashing down on him.
When you both lock eyes once again, you feel a flutter in your stomach. Then Joshua clears his throat, a million apologies tumbling over each other in his mind.
โI, uhโฆโ he begins, then stops, unsure how to proceed. โDoes it hurt a lot?โ
You realise he's asking about you, and you peer down at your hand, the sting of the burn momentarily forgotten in the face of his genuine worry. It's just a small red line, a minor burn that will fade in time, and a tiny cut where the glass had scratched. But the warmth radiating from his hand cupped over yours feels oddly... comforting.
You shake your head, then motion to his own hand, as if asking the same thing.
Joshua blinks in surprise. He examines it, a small line of red just starting to show from a small cut, and a tiny calloused area from the burn of the coffee. It was barely noticeable, and it admittedly stung with a dull ache, but he wouldn't acknowledge that๐he didn't want to make you worry. It's not that bad, he thinks, but his thoughts are instantly replaced with concern for you.
โHere, let me... I'll get some bandages for you.โ He gently releases your hand, his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary, and rises to his feet. โAnd a new drink, of course. On the house.โ
Before you can give him a nod or anything, you watch him walk towards the cafรฉ, the sunlight reflecting off his dark hair. He turns back once inside, and your eyes meet across the wall of glass. You offer a smile, and raise your hand in a small wave. He returns one sheepishly, his smile crinkling the corners of his eyes just slightly, before disappearing to the side.
You stand up as well, shooting a glance down at your sketchbook, the brown splatter bleeding across a corner of the paper. It didn't look like a lot of it was damaged luckily๐you could probably incorporate it into the drawing somehow. The thought seems to soothe you.
Joshua mutters curses to himself as he struggles to find the first-aid kit underneath the counter in the employee's only restroom. He rummages through a drawer, tossing aside spare toilet paper rolls until he finally lays eyes on the small white box labeled First Aid.
โKnew you wouldn't be a great match for this,โ Jeonghan's voice rings out suddenly as Joshua retrieves a few pieces of bandages, the man finally emerging after what seems like a long ass hour of a break.
โYou finally regret hiring me now?โ Joshua scoffs playfully, waving the bandages in front of Jeonghan's face. โThey haven't spoken to me at all, so I have no idea if they're okay or not.โ
Jeonghan lifts up an eyebrow. โThey aren't speaking?" Some silence passes. "Is their name Y/N?โ
Joshua looks back at him. โYeah, why?โ
โThey come here a lot, like a regular, usually just drawing and stuff, I think,โ Jeonghan points out, pursing his lips together. โandโฆ theyโre also deaf.โย
The age of seven was the last time you heard your voice.
You went to bed ill with a high fever that night, only to wake up the next morning in a muted world. The change wasn't a gradual muffling or a sudden pop like a balloon bursting. It was all simply... gone. You didn't hear the pitter-patter of the morning rain against the window, the rumble of the air conditioner, or even your own heart beating in your chest๐but you could feel it.ย
At first, you thought it was a trick, perhaps a dream that had somehow bled into reality. You screamed, but no sound escaped your lips. You shook your parents awake, but their worried questions were met with your frustrated silence. Tears streamed down your face as they rushed you to the hospital. Then all the tests, scans, diagnoses๐they all came to the same the same result: a sudden, inexplicable loss of hearing.
Learning to navigate the world growing up without sound was a slow, exhausting process. You learned to read lips, got used to communicating with sign language, understand the subtle cues of body language, and rely on written words. Your world shrunk, confined to the walls of your home and studio, the familiar faces of your family, the lens of your camera, and the canvases that could speak for you.
You got used to this world of silence. You got used to the fact that you have to live in harmony with those around you, to put in that extra effort to understand them so you could simply be accepted and heard, for once. At a young age, you became adept at expressing yourself through art๐capturing the beauty of the silent world you inhabited, the emotions that flowed through your fingertips onto canvases and photographs.
Honestly, the world is so beautiful. Even though you can't hear the bustling city around you, the distant conversations, or the groans of traffic, you've learned to see and appreciate the world in a way others might overlook๐finding beauty in the stillness that surrounds you. The way sunlight dances on the leaves, the gentle sway of trees, the vibrant colours that paint the sky during sunset, the look of love between two lovers.ย
The city is especially colourful at night. Neon store signs burning bright against the dark canvas of the evening sky, people around you moving in routine patterns, and cars flying down the streets. You've perfected the art of capturing these moments, freezing them in time with your camera, and bringing them to life with just a simple brushstroke.
You can't hear the laughter spilling from a nearby work dinner or the murmured conversation of a couple walking hand-in-hand, but you see it all in the tilt of their heads, the curve of their lips, the spark of their eyes. You watch the way their bodies move, the sway of their hips, the swing of their arms, and their stories unfold before you like a silent movie on a grand screen. And that in itself, is beautiful.ย
You click through the photos you've taken throughout the day on your camera carefully, biting your bottom lip in concentration. There's a photo of a child chasing pigeons in the park, a flock of birds flying through the cloudless sky, a cat lounging in a window sill, and a smile breaks across your lips.
However, you find yourself accidentally bumping into something, or someone. Hastily, you bring your head up to the stranger to apologise, yet they walk away before you even could. Letting out a sigh, you bring your attention back to your surroundings, and your eyes widen to the crowd of people gathered in the small square you hadn't noticed before.
Your eyes dart around, trying to scan through the sea of faces while slowly pushing through the crowd as your curiosity gets the best of you. And when you get yourself to nearly the core of the crowd, you could only freeze to the sight in front of you.
There's a man perched on a wooden stool in the middle, a guitar entangled in his grasp and a microphone stand standing idle in front of him. You can hardly make out his face since you're standing to the side, but for some reason, all you can do is watch in awe.
You can't hear his words, of course. But you feel them. You feel them in the way his fingers dance across the strings, in the way his head dips with the melody, in the way his chest rises and falls with each breath. You see them in the way the light catches his hair, in the way the shadows dance on his face, in the way his eyes flutter open for a fleeting moment.
Then a sudden urge makes you reach for your camera, quickly turning it on and bringing it up to your eyes. And with a simple click of the shutter, you capture the moment in a perfect frame, before weaving through the crowd once more and back into the fresh air of the city.
You look down at the photo, and it tugs at your heartstrings. The nearby lighting catches his face just right, highlighting the sharp lines of his cheekbones and the gentle curve of his smile. He's lost in the music, his skilled fingers dancing across the strings of his guitar, eyes closed as he seems to pour his soul into every note. You zoom in on the photo, admiring the way his dark hair falls across his forehead, the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles.
He looks familiar, somehow. You rack your brain, trying to place him, but your mind draws a blank. You've stumbled into the busking area by accident countless times and captured endless moments through your lens, but this one feels different.ย
The vending machine swallowed his dollar. Literally.
Joshua pounds his fist on the lousy machine a few times, wraps his arms around it like a koala hug and attempts to give it a few shakes, hoping that the drink would somehow drop to the bottom, but nothing happens. Letting out a groan, he takes a step back and runs his fingers through his hair in frustration. Great.
He glances around the area, scanning to find some sort of alternative solution, and his eyes set on a convenience store just a few blocks down. He takes a few steps in the direction, before something brushes past him and causes him to stop.
โHey, the vending machine doesn't workโฆโ Yet when he turned his body around, he didn't expect to see you making your way to the machine, tapping on the keypad and inserting a dollar, all for the machine to spit out two cans of sodas.
Joshua watches as you bend down to retrieve the cans, peering down in confusion at the second one in your hand. Then when you straighten and look back up, the two of you suddenly meet eyes.ย
There's a brief pause, and you can't really tell if Joshua is staring at you like you've grown a second head or something else. Then you glance down to the extra drink in your hand, and ah, it clicks.
Your lips move in a silent question, and Joshua realises you must be offering him the extra can. He waves his hand, signaling that it's okay, but you insist, gesturing for him to take it. With a grateful smile, he steps up to you and reaches out, accepting the cold can from you, his fingers brushing over yours briefly.
Joshua watches as you click open the can and take a sip. When you glance back at him, his lips part, then close again, his brow furrowing together like his mind is cluttered. You can't hear his thoughts, of course, but the way his eyes dart from your face to your hands and back again seems like he's trying to ask you something.
โIs yourโฆโ he starts to ask, pointing to your hand, noticing that your hand appeared bare of the bandages he gave you more than a week ago. โIs your hand feeling better now?โ
You catch his words by reading his lips, and you nod with a reassuring smile. Relief washes over Joshua's features, his eyes softening, and he gestures again towards your hand as if to make sure it's healing alright.
โWait, I... Sorry, let me start this over.โ Joshua seems to mentally take a deep breath. โI'm Joshua, by the way. I should've introduced myself properly first.โ
You know that already, but hearing him formally introduce himself ever since your little mishap at the cafรฉ brings a strange flutter to your chest. You notice Joshua shift from foot to foot, the smile to his face faltering just slightly.
โIs it okay if I ask if you'reโฆโ Joshua motions to his ear, then shakes his head, seeing that it might come across as insensitive. Instead, he points to his own mouth and then makes a questioning gesture with his eyebrows, hoping you'll understand what he's trying to ask.
You nod, understanding his question perfectly, raising your hand and making a simple sign, tapping your ear and then shaking your head. You've had this conversation countless times before, with strangers and acquaintances alike. But there's something different about the way Joshua asks๐something softer, more genuine.
โI should've realised sooner,โ Joshua says. "I'm sorry if that came off as rude.โ
You wave your hand dismissively and tap your temple, then point to his mouth, conveying that you could read his lips just as you've been doing this entire time, and Joshua could only watch your movements carefully. Though relief mixes with a tinge of embarrassment in his limbs. He hadn't meant to pry, but curiosity had gotten the best of him, and he didn't want to make you uncomfortable by putting you on the spot like that. He could tell you've probably heard this conversation many times with other people, yet you seem to handle it with such patience.
With a wry smile, you secure your can of soda under your arm before bringing your hands up, signing heartedly, โIt's okay,โ and Joshua watches your movements with awe and also... a little confusion.
โCan I ask what that means?โ he asks slowly, curiously.
You wave a dismissive hand in front of his face, pulling out your phone, quickly typing out something before showing it to him.
It means that it's okay
โAh, I see,โ Joshua responds with a sheepish smile, attempting to clumsily repeat the action with his own hands, but he quickly brings it back to his side. โIf I'm speaking too fast, feel free to let me know. I'll try to slow down.โ
You shake your head, typing on your phone once more.
Thank you, but you're doing just fine, I promise
A blush creeps onto Joshua's cheeks as he reads your message. He's relieved you're not bothered by his questions, but the awareness that you've been understanding him all along makes him feel a bit silly. In a good way, of course. He takes a hesitant sip of his soda, the silence between you stretching just a bit too long. He wants to talk to you, really talk, but he's unsure where to begin.
As you both stand there, with the city's sounds humming around, Joshua feels the nerves crawling up his skin. He gestures towards the convenience store nearby, silently asking if you need anything. You shake your head, indicating that you're good, but then motion down the road, pointing at something down the street.
โAre you heading somewhere?โ Joshua asks, and he feels his heart jump once he sees you nod, feeling proud for understanding what you're trying to say.
You pull out your phone again, typing:
The museum
โThe museum?โ Joshua repeats, picking his head back up to squint down the street. He feels the hesitation at the tip of his tongue, as if considering something. But then, the intrusive action takes over, and he points in the same direction. โWould it be okay if I walk with you? The cafรฉ is near there. I was about to head there myself.โ
You notice the uncertainty in his eyes. Joshua watches your face for a moment, searching for any sign of discomfort or rejection. However, you simply offer a warm smile and a nod in response, which makes Joshua feel a surge of relief. A small smile plays on his lips, and he falls into step beside you as you both start walking towards the museum.
The late afternoon sun dips below the city skyline, casting long shadows across the pavement as you and Joshua walk side-by-side, your steps falling into sync. You steal glances at him every now and then, captivated by the way his hair catches the golden rays and how the lines of his face soften. He catches your eyes a few times, which makes you both look away at the same time. It's a bit awkward admittedly, yes, but there's a certain charm to it when he's right next to you.
Joshua tries to find ways to bridge the silence, but his words tangle in his throat.
Instead, he waves a hand in front of you, earning your attention back on him.
โDo you like art?โ he asks. โBack at the cafรฉ, I noticed... you were drawing?โ Then he does a scribbling motion with his hand.
The question hangs in the air, and you find yourself pausing to consider it. A thoughtful expression settles on your face, and Joshua watches as you take a pause to grab something from out of your bag๐your sketchbook๐before handing it to him.
He shoots a brief glance at you, as if asking for permission, but your trusting gaze encourages him. He gently opens the sketchbook. His breath catches in his throat as he takes in the first page.
It looks to be a sketch of the beach, capturing the vastness of the ocean, the setting sun in the horizon, and the small details of people walking across the sands. Joshua can almost feel the warm sand beneath his bare feet and the salty tang of the air on his tongue.
He flips through the next few pages. A bustling city street, a lone bird perched on a branch, its feathers so finely detailed they seem to shimmer in the sunlight, a child's laughter echoing through a park, portrayed in a burst of joyful strokes.
Joshua feels a lump rise in his throat. He looks up at you, eyes wide with admiration and something else he can't quite define.
โWow, these are incredible,โ he manages to say. โYou're so talented.โ
You smile shyly, feeling the heat crawl up your cheeks as Joshua flips to the last page. In an instant, he feels his heart drop, but not in a bad way๐it's a page significant with the brown stain at the corner, but it's the way you seem to use the stain as a part of the sketch, blending it into the colours of the sky and the warm tones of the cafรฉ.
โI was worried about your sketchbook,โ he confesses, looking back at you. โI thought I would have to buy you a new one. But... I'm glad it's okay.โ
He hands you back the sketchbook, his fingers brushing yours once again as the exchange is made, and you both continue your way down the sidewalk.
And then, you reach the museum.
Joshua turns towards you, and you're already looking at him. Then you pull out your phone once more, typing in a message, before showing it to him.
Thank you for walking with me
โIt's๐You don't have to thank me,โ Joshua acknowledges, his eyes reflecting sincerity. โI enjoyed it. Besides, it's the least I could do after the, uh... incident.โ
You both stand a distance away from the museum entrance, knowing that you have to part ways, yet there's some hesitation in there. Joshua peers at the museum building, taking in its appearance, trying to ignore the bubbling reluctance in his chest.
โMaybe I can see you aroundโฆโ But when Joshua brings his eyes back to you, you're already trailing towards the museum entrance. The embarrassment catches in his throat. He stands there for a moment with his gaze following you, clutching the can of soda, feeling the warmth radiating from it seeping into his palm.
Joshua sees you stop short in front of the entrance, turn back to him, and offer a small wave of your hand, your eyes locked with his for a brief moment. He reciprocates with a reluctant wave of his own, watching as you disappear into the museum.
He lets out a breath he didn't notice he was holding as he turns away, drinking the last sips of disappointment down his throat before throwing the empty can into a recycling bin nearby.
And while on his way to the cafรฉ, the thought of you tugs at the corner of his lips.
Joshua pulls one more time on the door to the cafรฉ, the keys dangling in his hand clinging loudly together as he makes sure it's all locked. When he does, he adjusts the strap of his bag over his shoulder, letting out a deep exhale coming straight from the core of his chest.ย
The sounds of fallen, dried-up leaves crunch below with every step he takes. Joshua wearily casts his eyes around, watching as surrounding local shops and other cafรฉs switch their lights off for the night. A bus rushes past him as he continues walking down the street, bringing with it a gust of wind that ruffles his hair. The city is slowly settling into its nighttime rhythm, and Joshua can feel the shift in energy around him.
As he walks, his attention is drawn to a figure up ahead. It appears to be an elderly lady, a large box in her grasp, her movements slow and careful. The box looks heavy, with whatever inside threatening to spill over the top with every wobbling step she takes. Joshua quickens his pace immediately, concern knitting at his brows.
โWait, maโam! Let me help you.โ Once he arrives at her side, he shifts his backpack down to the ground and reaches out to steady the box. The elderly lady looks up at him with surprise and relief.ย
โAh, thank you, young man,โ she says, voice quivering slightly as Joshua hoists a hold of the entire box, a groan leaving him at the unexpected heaviness.
โWhere are we heading to?โ he asks.
โJustโฆ into there.โ The older lady motions with a slender finger to the tiny store tucked between a closed dry cleaner and a flower shop.
He canโt really see where he was going, but he hears the ding of a door opening and the old womanโs voice gently guiding him inside. He carefully navigates through the narrow doorway as the smell of old books, musty paper, and something faintly sweet hits him as soon as he steps inside. When he feels his foot seemingly hit the leg of a table, he cautiously sets the box on top of it, making sure it's stable before straightening back up.
โThere we go,โ he mutters, huffing out a tired breath. โIs there anything else that you need help with?โ
โOh, no, thank you.โ The elderly woman shifts past him to examine the box, before reaching over for a pair of scissors to begin tearing into it. โThese old bones canโt do much anymore these days.โ
Joshua laughs faintly at that, setting his hands on his hips as he takes a look around the bookstore. Itโs noticeably tiny, with only a few tall shelves taking up more than half of the space and a cluttered counter at the front with stacks of books waiting to be set out.
He swipes a random book off the shelf, some dust particles hitting his nose and causing him to sneeze. He chuckles softly, feeling a bit sheepish. The elderly lady looks up at him, a warm smile spreading across her face.
โBless you,โ she says kindly. โNot many people find their way here these days. It's nice to see a young face.โ
โReally?โ he questions. โItโs very vintage. I bet thereโs a lot of history here.โ
โFor sure,โ the lady responds wistfully. โYou should head home now. Sleeping early is good for your health.โ
Joshua places the book back on the shelf before heading his way back to the front. The elderly woman hands him back his backpack, wiping away some grime and dust that may have settled on it in the meantime. She continues to shower him with thanks even after he steps past the door. He bids her a wave and a good night before beginning to head his way back home.ย
However, a sudden thought crosses his head, and he doesnโt give the way his feet turn back around much hesitation at all.ย
He pushes the door open to the bookstore, swallows a lump in his throat, and lets his eyes meet back with the curious old lady.ย
โActually,โ he starts, smiling somewhat bashfully. โDo you happen to have any books on sign language?โ
โDid you finish totaling it up?โ
โHmm, yeah. Give me a second.โ Joshua quickly flips through the bills in his hand, splitting it up as evenly as he could, before handing the rest to Seokmin. โ294 dollars.โ
Seokmin chuckles, grabbing the money from Joshua before unplugging the microphone. โNot too bad, to be honest, and it's on the worser days of the week.โ
โIt did help that you were here today. I owe you for that,โ Joshua admits cheekily, packing up his guitar inside the case and zipping it up. โGot time for a meal later? My treat.โ
Seokmin clicks his tongue, shaking his head while wrapping the microphone cord around the stand. โMaybe next time? I have plans.โ
Joshua raises an eyebrow, picking his head up to look at Seokmin. Oh, he knows what's going on, and Seokmin isn't really the best at hiding his facial expressions, or anything really at all. The older man just rolls his eyes, chucking a small pebble in his direction, making Seokmin let out a loud yelp as he dodges it.
โAlright, alright. I get it. Go enjoy your date.โ
Seokmin's face reddens, and he huffs, โIt's not a date! We're just getting dinner, that's all.โ
โSure, sure,โ Joshua continues to tease, standing up and slinging his guitar case over his shoulder. โWhatever you say, buttercup. Have fun, though.โ
Seokmin just shoots him a playful glare, grabbing a bag of his own belongings and the microphone stand before heading off, promising another day to catch up, and leaving Joshua alone in the quiet square.
Letting out a sigh, Joshua glances down at his watch, noticing the late time displayed. He contemplates whether he should head back to the cafรฉ to help Jeonghan with closing, head straight back to the apartment, or stop by somewhere to grab some food, and the thought of food makes his stomach rumble๐he decides on making a quick stop at a convenience store.
The convenience store is a familiar sight, one that he goes to often and tucked away in a quiet corner of the street, its bright lights illuminating the surroundings outside and the wet streets. There's a slight drizzle that starts as Joshua enters inside, the door letting out a soft chime. The cashier welcomes him with a nod as he starts to stroll through the aisles.
Joshua wanders through the narrow aisles, scanning the shelves for a quick bite to eat. His gaze lands on a shelf filled with instant noodles, and he grabs a couple of cup noodles (and a can of beer for good measure), figuring they would be enough for a simple dinner. As he makes his way to the cashier, the door rings once more, and he turns to spot a familiar face entering inside๐you.
Your eyes meet in an instant as Joshua fumbles with the stuff in his hands, the cup noodles and can of beer suddenly feeling heavier than a sack of bricks. His guitar nearly slides off his shoulder too.
You stare at him for a moment as if in confusion or contemplation. Joshua thinks he sees a flicker of recognition in your eyes. Then your lips curve into a hesitant smile, and the world seems to tilt on its axis. You hadn't expected to see him again, not so soon, but the sight of him fills you with a sense of... comfort, perhaps.
A bashful look washes over your face, and you offer a small wave, your fingers curling into a silent hello. Joshua returns the gesture, his own smile hesitant but clearly genuine.
The silence hangs between you, awkward but strangely filled with something, both of you seemingly unsure of what to say.
Joshua shuffles the abominable weight in his feet, the cup noodles in his grasp feeling like ridiculous boulders.
โHey,โ he mutters out, struggling for words, mentally slapping himself in the face. โI was just about to grab some dinner.โ
You watch him, gaze tracing over the lines of his face, the gentle curve of his lips, the nervous glint in his eyes. You feel a sudden urge to reach out and somehow wipe away the worry engraving his features, but your hands remain clasped at your side.ย
He catches your gaze, and his cheeks flush with a faint blush.
โWould you like to join me?โ
The offer floats in the air, hanging between the two of you like a question mark. Your eyes widen slightly in surprise, and Joshua fidgets nervously, almost regretfully, while waiting for your response.
Yet unusually, there's something about this that feels... right. Perhaps it's the familiarity of his presence, or something else entirely. You've never really been asked this before, and it feels weird and a bit intimidating, but for some reason, you don't exactly want to step away. The thought of sharing a meal with someone๐with him๐shoots a bullet of curiosity through you.
Whatever it is, you want to trust it.ย
Taking a deep breath, you raise your gaze to meet his. Then you give him a shy smile, one not quite reaching your eyes, and nod ever so slightly.
The cashier looks between the two of you as Joshua places the cup noodles and can of beer on the counter. The chime of the cash register rings out as he pays, and you soon follow after with your own food, placing your own items on the counter, then you both head towards a nearby seating area together.
A growing tapping of rain hits the earth outside as the two of you pick a spot in front of the windows. Joshua sets down his leather bag and guitar, and you place your own painter-splattered canvas tote right next to it.
Joshua feels a tap on his shoulder while aimlessly stirring through his ramen, and he watches as you sign him something with your hands. He doesn't entirely understand what you were signing, but he picks up the motion of a guitar, and he brightens up.
โGuitar?โ He gestures to the guitar case nestled at his leg, and he watches as you nod and point at him. โMe? Guitar?โ
You give a thumbs-up, and Joshua chuckles, feeling proud for picking up on your words.
โYeah, I... I've been playing since I was young,โ he answers, and you read his lips carefully. โJust as a hobby though, not professionally.โ
Your mouth opens in awe, then you lift your hands up again, making a swinging motion with one arm and motioning at him, and Joshua tilts his head curiously.
โBook?โ he questions, and you shake your head. He thinks again, repeating your movements. โOh! Music? Do I make music?โ
When you nod again, his heart flutters with victory.
โI play and sing sometimes. Just... small gigs and stuff, nothing too fancy,โ he admits meekly. โI've written a few songs too. I guess it's a way to express myself, you know?โ
You soak in his words, your eyes focusing on his lips and the subtle shifts in his facial expressions. Joshua swears he feels himself shrink under your gaze, but it feels almost relieving to tell this to you.
You bring your hands up, signing something, and Joshua watches intently, attempting to replicate your movements himself while trying to catch the meaning behind the gestures.
โYou... like music?โ he ventures, and you give him a small nod.
Joshua smiles at this, before it falters slightly. He opens his mouth up to speak, and you perk up, but then he closes it quickly. He feels the anxiety blooming within him, not knowing how to approach the question without making you uncomfortable.
โCan Iโฆโ he starts, feeling regretful already. โCan I ask... how do youโฆโ
You notice the hesitation in Joshua's eyes, seeing how he's trying to ask as delicately as possible without crossing a line. But you already know what he's trying to ask, and you feel yourself willing to answer.
You reach for your phone, and Joshua observes as you type out your words, eyes lingering on the features of your side-profile for a few moments. You show him the message:
Sheet music, song lyrics, vibrations, chords, memories of sounds
โVibrations, chordsโฆโ he leisurely reads out aloud to himself, feeling a mix of understanding and admiration course through him. And when he pulls back to look at you, his eyes widen and seem to burn brighter than the city lights outside. He understands. He gets it.
Silence stretches between you again, but it's no longer awkward; it's more comfortable now. Joshua finishes the rest of his ramen, his gaze occasionally darting towards you, and he catches the way you seem to be staring outside as the rain pours down.
He stares outside too, listening to the rain crashing loudly against the window and the occasional burst of thunder that rumbles in the distance. But then when he looks at you, all of those sounds seem to fade away.
He can't tell if you're lost in thought or simply taking in the scene, but there's a quiet comfort in your stillness that seems to draw him in.
As you watch the raindrops dance on the windowpane, a soft smile plays on your lips, and Joshua catches it. He watches you for a moment, then a sudden thought occurs to him. Slowly, he brings his hands up to his ears, covering them completely, and stares back outside. The muffled sounds of the rain and the faint hum of the convenience store fade into the distant background. It's more peaceful this way.
He likes this quietness, especially if it's with you.ย
You face him, tapping lightly on his forearm. Joshua brings his arms down and veers his attention back to you as you draw your hands up, separate and curl your fingers like a claw, before doing a downward motion. He finds himself repeating it as well, head tilted slightly, and then it clicks.
โRain?โ he guesses, motioning to the rain outside before signing it again. โThis means rain, right?โ
Your eyes widen in victory, a grin curving at your lips, giving him an approving nod. Joshua feels something catch in his throat, but you turn back to the window before he can say anything.
โRain,โ he mutters to himself, unconsciously signing the word right next to you. Then he brings his hand up again, shooting a glance toward you๐you're still staring out the window, and the look of content on your face makes his heart flutter a bit more๐before slowly fanning his hand across his face, as if to sign the word, โBeautiful.โ
โI've seen you do better than this.โ
The look of disappointment to your art teacher's face is unchanging as he signs to you. You feel your hands mold into each other under the desk, fingers fidgeting as you try to process the criticism. The words bounce off the walls in your mind, and the weight of them settles in your chest.ย
It's not that your painting is bad๐it's just not living up to the potential he knows you possess. The colours lack vibrancy, the brushstrokes lack emotion. He leans in, his face mere inches from the canvas, inspecting every detail.
โIf you're ever going to put your work in an exhibition, it has to tell a story,โ he assures sternly while continuing to sign. โYour art should speak, not just visually, but emotionally. I know you can do better.โ
Taking a deep breath, you nod in understanding, though the disappointment lingers. You've been wrestling with this painting for weeks, trying to capture a fleeting emotion, a moment in time that you believed would speak to others, yet you realise you don't have a clear answer. He observes your reaction, and though his expression softens just the slightest, the expectation lingers.
โHeโs probably just in a mood,โ Wheein reassures you, hands flying in the air as she signs. โYou know how he is with deadlines.โ
โI can beat his ass for you,โ Seungkwan chimes in, emphasizing a punching motion with his hands, which makes you let out a quiet laugh.ย
Wheein playfully shoves the younger boy in the shoulders, before snatching away the cup of iced coffee in his hands.
Seungkwan pouts in mock disappointment as Wheein steals a sip of his coffee, but the playful banter manages to lighten the mood a bit.
Wheein hands back the coffee to Seungkwan and gives you a few pats on the back. โYou'll get it right, you always do. Just take a step back, clear your mind, and try again, okay?โ
Her words make you faintly smile. It's not a secret that you've been experiencing a lot of pressure for this upcoming exhibition competition at the museum, an opportunity for you to finally get your art out there in the world. But the thing is that there are plenty of other artists also fighting for the spot as well, and never in your life have you felt so stuck, so drained of inspiration, so dried out of colour.ย
You feel a little lighter from the reassurance from your friends, but at the same time, you feel like it isn't quite enough. There's still a part of you that feels heavy inside๐what if you're not meant for exhibitions, if your art can't truly convey the emotions you want to express? What if you're just not meant for this? What if your art isn't enough to convey the emotions you want to share with the world?
The thought lingers as Wheein and Seungkwan dismiss themselves for the evening, and you're left alone roaming the quiet streets on your way back home. The city's lights begin to flicker to life, casting a warm glow on the dewy pavement, the streets a bit more barren than what you are used to. You try to shake off the doubt at the back of your mind, but it clings to you like the raindrops on the leaves.
As you stop at the pedestrian crossing, you shoot your eyes across the street.
A figure stands tall under the glow of a streetlamp, his features highlighted by the warm light. He's also looking across too in your direction, though it doesn't take long for his gaze to drift and land on you, and suddenly, he's waving at you.
It takes a moment for recognition to dawn on you, but when it does, time seems to stand still๐it's Joshua. He's standing there with his guitar case slung over his shoulder, waving at you. At first you look behind you to see if it was meant for someone else, but when you realise there's no one else around, you feel an odd pull tugging at your heart.
Because he looks... happy to see you.ย
Hesitantly, you raise a hand and give him a small wave back. You notice some contemplation wash over his face, and then you observe as he brings his hands up.
โNice to see you. How are you?โ he signs, albeit clumsily and a bit slow, but the effort is cute, and you find yourself lowering your gaze for a moment to bite back a chuckle.
โTired,โ You sign in response, and mimic the gesture of rubbing your eyes, a small grin playing on your lips.
Joshua's eyes crinkle at the corners, and a soft chuckle escapes his mouth as he watches your playful sign. He follows suit, pretending to yawn and miming the act of stretching, exaggerating the movements comically. It's a simple exchange, but it breaks the ice, and you find yourself smiling more genuinely now.
He ushers a hand up to his cheek. โHome?โ
When you give a nod, the signal light turns green, you make your way across the street, noticing Joshua waiting for you on the other side. As you approach him, you catch the nerves in his eyes. He shifts his guitar case on his shoulder, seemingly caught between wanting to say something and waiting for your lead.
With a small tilt of your head, you gesture down the road, asking if he's headed in the same direction as you. But he shakes his head apologetically, signaling that he's heading the opposite way. For a moment, you lift a brow in question, but then Joshua points to himself and then in the direction you're heading.
โCan Iโฆโ Your eyes focus on his hands and lips. โwalk... you home?โ
Your breath catches in your throat, but not from any fear or apprehension. A flutter of nerves dances in your stomach, but is quickly overshadowed by a warm feeling that spreads through you.
Hesitation lingers in the air for a moment, a tiny voice in the back of your mind reminding you of the uncertainties. You didn't want him to take a detour just to walk you home, especially since he was heading in the opposite direction. But then you see the nervous tremor in his hands that mirrors your own, and how his hopeful and vulnerable gaze holds yours as if afraid he had crossed a boundary, and the doubt seems to melt away.
And so, with a soft smile, you sign, โOkay.โ
As the two of you set off, the silence that follows feels different than the heavy weight of earlier. It's comfortable, expectant, like a blank canvas waiting for the first splash of colour. You steal glances at him, admiring the way the dim streetlights play on his features, the gentle twinkle that shines in his eyes, how cutely comfortable he appears wearing an oversized jean jacket that almost seems to swallow him whole. And then your eyes set on his guitar case, and curiosity fills you.
You gesture a hand at his guitar, and Joshua raises his eyebrows.
โOh, Iโฆโ He lets out a nervous, airy laugh, fiddling with his hands as he attempts to sign and explain, โI had to get some guitar strings replaced. One of them snapped on me earlier, so I stopped by the repair shop.โ
You flash him a worried look, motioning a finger at his skin.
Joshua just shakes his head, signing back comfortingly, โI'm okay.โ
He watches as you tilt your head just slightly, as if in amusement, like you had caught him saying something suspicious.
You type out something on your phone before showing it to him.
The way you sign is funny
Joshua giggles quietly, and he playfully pouts, a small laugh escaping his lips. โThat's mean.โ
You feel a warmth bloom in your chest at his reaction, like a tiny seed of affection sprouting. It's almost like he's attempting to paint with his hands, and the shade isn't quite right, yet it blends in perfectly with just a few more strokes.
There are many people youโve encountered in life who have communicated with you through sign language, and you noticed that they all have their own unique way of signing. Whether it was Seungkwan with his more expressive and sharp gestures, Wheein with her dainty and flowy style, or Joshua with his uncertain yet gentle movements, you liked they were all different.ย
Not being able to hear doesn't bother you anymore, not like it used to when you were younger. It used to build walls around you and separate you from the world. Yet now, you've learned to read sounds with your eyes, hear the voices that emit from a simple smile, a frown, an arch of the brow, because there are a lot more people who can hear than those who canโt.
But out of all those people, someone was the one to wave first across the street.
Joshua finds himself staring up at the intimidating brick faรงade of your apartment building. When you turn back to him, you offer him a tentative smile, and there's something different about it that makes his chest tighten.
Finally, you muster the courage, your fingers slowly dancing in the air.
โThank you,โ You sign to him.ย
He lets out a quiet chuckle, eyes softening. โHow do I sign โgoodnight?โโ
You nearly hesitate for a second before bringing out both of your hands. You could feel Joshua watching you carefully at the way you bring your right hand up to your chin and then back down to meet the palm of your other hand, signing the word good. Then you flip your left hand so that itโs facing down, and your other hand brushes over it like the sun is setting over the horizon, signing the word night.ย
Joshua watches at the way your hands move gracefully. He follows your movements carefully, a faint smile spreading across his face as he tries to mimic your gestures.
โGood... night,โ he repeats slowly, the miniscule dust particles whirling around his fingers as he traces the air. His eyes meet yours, and he could possibly see the flicker of proudness in them. It's a simple exchange, but at this moment right now, it feels significant.
As you unlock the door to your apartment, you turn to look back at him, and he shoots you another wave. Joshua stands there for a moment, watching your door close, before taking in a deep breath to relax the racing of his heart.
Three years ago, Joshua Hong moved away from his family in the hopes of pursuing a music career. It most certainly wasn't an easy decision, leaving behind the familiarity of his hometown and the warmth of his loved ones.
Almost three years later, he might have realised how damn stupid of a choice that might have been.
It's a bit lonely, to put it lightly.
The gigs are sparse, the pay is minimal, and the dreams he once held so tightly in his grasp seem to be slowly slipping away as the days pass.
The journey has been anything but smooth, filled with constant rejections, financial struggles, and moments of self-doubt; and lately these lows seem to be overpowering the highs more than ever. Yet, despite all this, he still chooses to cling to this passion as if it's the air he breathes, because it's something that he loves to do.
Music is the voice he uses when his own isn't enough. He's constantly surrounded by noise, whether it's from the strumming of his own guitar, the sounds of the bustling city, or conversations from strangers that he accidentally overhears when crossing the street.
But then there's the silence๐the kind that settles in the spaces between chords, in the moments when he puts the instrument down and the world seems to hum a little quieter. It's in these moments that the loneliness can be deafening.
And then there was you.
The melody playing in his mind for the past week is... hesitant, unsure, much like his own feelings. He isn't sure what it is yet๐this feeling that tugs at his chest and paints his cheeks with a faint blush. He only knows that it's connected to you, to the way your eyes narrow in focus when your fingers dance so graciously in the air, and the warmth that spread through him when you thanked him for walking you home the other night.
It was just a simple offer to walk you home, why is it playing on repeat in his mind?
A sigh leaves him as he runs a loose hand through his hair. He tosses away the dirty rag in his hand and stores the cafe's cleaning supplies back and under the counter. The colours of the sun setting outside filters through the large windows, casting orange and red hues on the wooden tables and floor of the empty cafรฉ.
โYou look like you need a drink,โ Jeonghan's voice rings out teasingly, and Joshua could only scoff. โYou still got that gig later this weekend, right?โ
Joshua nips at his bottom lip, releasing a sigh. โI've been feeling a little under the weather, honestly, and I don't really have anything prepared.โ I feel like I'm losing my touch.
Jeonghan arches a knowing brow. โSince when do you back down from a gig? Just go up there and pour your heart out. It's what you do best.โ
โI'm just not feeling it right now, I guess,โ Joshua replies with a half-hearted smile, shoulders only taking on a shrug. He pushes himself away from the counter, and just as Jeonghan is about to crawl under his skin, the bell above the door chimes. โWelcome inโฆโ
He should really learn how to control his stomach from flipping when seeing you๐the familiar sight of your paint-smudged canvas tote, the comfort you seem to radiate๐but it's not just you alone. There's a girl who he doesn't recognise there too, with her arm linked with yours, and another boy he swears he's seen a few times... Seungkyung? Seungwan? Seungkwan?
Joshua lets his gaze drift to you, and there's a gloom to your face that he can't quite decipher, a certain apprehension that he notices when your eyes make the smallest of contact. He attempts to get your attention by bringing one of his hands up, and you catch sight of it.
โSame?โ he signs, as if asking if you want to order the usual drink that you get.
You meet his eyes, and despite the lingering doubts that have been plaguing you, there's a sense of comfort in the familiarity of him. You nod, and that's all it takes for him to brighten up, his smile breaking through the clouds that seem to hang in the air. He watches as you exchange a few words in sign language with Wheein and Seungkwan, then Seungkwan comes over to the counter to place the order.
Maybe he's just seeing things, or maybe it's his mind overthinking for him๐there's an undeniable shadow around your eyes that he notices when he brings a tray full of fruit smoothies and iced teas to your table. He sets the drinks down carefully, unable to ignore the way your gaze seems to linger on him for a fraction of a second before flitting away again.
You don't seem to be entirely present in conversation, often drifting off before Wheein or Seungkwan would have to nudge you back into reality. Then a ghost of a smile would draw over your lips, attempting to engage in the conversation with your hands, but all the words seem to disintegrate into ashes.
Another tap at your wrist makes you blink, and you turn to see both Seungkwan and Wheein peering at you with worried expressions on their faces.
โAre you okay?โ Wheein mouths quietly, signing lightly with her hands.
Seungkwan turns his head slightly, eyeing something behind him, a scowl to his expression before it curves into a slight smirk; his back was facing where Joshua stood behind the counter, taking in orders for another group of people.
โCafรฉ boy?โ he mouths to you.
You follow Seungkwan's line of sight, and sure enough, Joshua is there behind the counter๐mop of dark hair falling in his eyes, a polite smile playing on his lips๐taking and preparing orders with casual ease. You feel a gentle tug in your chest, and for a moment, your gaze locks with his. There's a flicker of concern in his eyes as he watches you, before the corners of his mouth tugs upwards, and you quickly avert your gaze, fingers playing with the straw in your drink.
โHe's cuter than I thought,โ Seungkwan signs jokingly to you, lifting a teasing brow. โI'd have a crush on him too๐ow!โ
He's met with Wheein's sharp elbow to his side, making him let out a squeaky wince that might have gained the attention of the entire cafรฉ, and she scolds him with a shake of her head and a finger to her lips, but it manages to crack a small smile to your face. Seungkwan only grins in victory, tapping his wrist against his heart and giving a thumbs-up as if satisfied with the response he got out of you.ย
Ah, the benefits of sign language and being friends with two absolute idiots... No one really knows what the hell you're talking about.ย
โYou do think he's cute though, right?โ Wheein scrunches up her face cheekily, and you could only let a finger drift across the icy surface of your cup, the cold offering little comfort against the sudden warmth blooming in your cheeks to her words.
You roll your eyes, though your face seems to betray you even more.ย
โYou're not denying it,โ Seungkwan adds in, narrowing his eyes at you in a smirk. โJust say you have a crush on him.โ
You form a mock-scissor gesture with your fingers, and the threat earns a burst of laughter to leave Seungkwan. The playful jab cuts through the tension, but the truth is, your heart aches a little at his words.
Crush? The word felt alien, yet somehow, it fits. The way your heart skips a beat whenever his gaze met yours, the way his smile warms you from the inside out, the way his clumsy attempts at sign language makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time๐these were all signs of something, weren't they?
The atmosphere at the table lightens a bit. It feels nice, spending time with your friends and momentarily pushing aside the doubts of your artistic soul and worries of everything else that have been flying in and out of your head.ย
Eventually, the rest of the afternoon wears on, and you somehow manage to survive through Seungkwan and Wheein's (mainly Seungkwan though, unsurprisingly) overbearing and teasing attempts to get you to spill your thoughts on cafรฉ boy. They give up by the end of it, saying their goodbyes with a tight squeeze of a hug and urging you to keep your chin up. Seriously, you wouldn't know where you would be right now if it weren't for them.
At the back, when Joshua steps out of the restroom, a sudden slap at the wall next to his head startles him back.
โSo I see.โ Jeonghan circles a finger in front of his face. โYou're feeling under the weather, aren't you?โ
Joshua groans. โDon't you say it๐โ
โUnder the weather of love๐โ
โYou're having more customers than before because of me. Don't ruin that.โ
โThen stop looking like a lovesick puppy and ask them out already, idiot.โ Jeonghan shoves the boy forward with a not-so-gentle push to the back. โor at least invite them to your gig. Maybe you won't feel under the weather then.โ
Joshua opens his mouth to retort. โDude, I can't just๐โ
But before he can finish his sentence, Jeonghan has already disappeared in the back, leaving Joshua standing there in a puddle of embarrassment. He glances towards the table where you were sitting earlier, seeing that you and your friends have already left, and panic shoots through him.
He's never been good at taking risks, but maybe, just maybe, it's time to change that.
Racing out the door, the cool evening air greets Joshua as he steps outside, quickly scanning the surroundings for a glimpse of your familiar figure. He spots you not too far away, heading down the sidewalk, before quickening his strides. He doesn't know what's driving him, but there's a sudden urgency to catch up with you๐to not let you slip away just this once.ย
And when he finally manages to catch up to you approaching the pedestrian light, he finds himself breathless in front of you, heart pounding in his chest and cheeks flushed, still wearing the cafรฉ apron around his body. When he looks up to you, clearly startled by his sudden appearance, he feels the heat crawl up his neck.ย
โI, umโฆโ he starts, voice coming out way more flat to his ears. Then you watch as he brings his hands up to sign. โQuestion?โ
You feel your heart pick up its pace. He ran all the way out here to ask you a question?
โI have a performanceโฆ" His face lights up when he signs the right word. Cute. "...this weekend. I was wondering if youโd like to watch it?โย
You swear you can see the city lights blinking in anticipation around you, your own eyes fluttering in surprise to his question. He's... inviting you to watch him perform? He knows you won't be able to fully understand him, to hear him, yet he's offering you anyway?
Part of you wants to immediately say yes. The thought of watching him sends a wave of thrills through you, a glimmer of excitement warming the chill wrapped around your heart since leaving the cafรฉ. But the other part๐the cautious and guarded part that has learned to retreat behind walls of silence๐is reluctant.
Hesitation flickers across your features, and Joshua's hands fly in apology.
โYou don't๐if you're uncomfortable or if you have plans, it's okay," Joshua reassures quickly, speaking almost too fast for you to catch everything tumbling off his lips. โI could give you my number and text the details if you decide to come. Just... think about it, okay?โ
The streetlight casts a soft glow on Joshua's features as he waits for your response. You glance up to the pedestrian signal, noticing that time is ticking down before you would have to leave, before bringing your gaze back to him.
You swallow a lump down your throat, and give a nod. A faint grin breaks across his face. Joshua fumbles with his phone, pulling it out of his pocket and offering it to you. You swiftly type in your phone number, then hand the phone back to him, and then the pedestrian signal switches to green. It's your time to go. Each footstep you take feels heavier and heavier.ย
Joshua watches you go, but not before you both exchange your habitual waves to each other.
He can get used to that, he thinks.
The colours on your palette just look absolutely wrong.ย
It may just be the lighting playing tricks on your eyes and the exhaustion hanging on your eyelids, but it all looks slightly off-shade, the teeniest tiniest bit cooler or warmer. You frown, dipping your brush into the paint, attempting to mix them until they match the image you have in your mind. But it's like trying to catch sunlight with your bare hands๐the more you try, the more it slips away.
You let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back in your chair, and your gaze wanders to the canvas. The painting stares back at you tauntingly. It's like a stranger's work, not your own. A sense of defeat washes over you.
Groaning, you hop to your feet, untangling the apron around your waist and letting it fall to the ground before taking your paint brushes to the sink in your bathroom. You wash off the paint with a bit too much force, the bristles scraping against the porcelain, almost as if you were trying to scrub away your own frustration. The paint swirls down the drain, the colours blending together into an ugly, murky green before ultimately disappearing.ย
You chug down an entire glass of water from your kitchen, then shut off the light hanging above your canvas. Sprawling on top of your bed, you squeeze your eyes shut, hoping that the walls could cave in and swallow you whole, if only for a moment.
When you reach behind to fish for your phone annoyedly, your eyes nearly bulge out of its skull.ย
You donโt even have to read out the entire message for you to jump up from your bed. Your eyes dart from the time displayed at the top of your phone, and to the words jumping at you from the screen.
[06:26PM | joshua hong]
Hey it's Joshua! Sorry I know it's a bit last minute, but my
performance is supposed to start in about 15
[06:29PM | joshua hong]
But I totally understand if you aren't able to attend.
It's no problem at all :)ย
And perhaps it's the adrenaline from reading the message knowing itโs from Joshua, because youโre suddenly standing up and racing to the bathroom. You donโt understand how you look more disheveled than before, and you can hardly do much to touch yourself up before youโre shrugging, grabbing a jacket, and leaving.ย
You nearly trip on the way out the door, and you could already feel the multitude of curses echoing through your head.ย
Gosh, you can hardly believe how much time has slipped away from you. The stress coming from painting and deadlines has been gnawing at you day by day. Itโs been the only thing pulling you back from doing anything else. Yet with every stroke you bring to the canvas, it feels empty. You feel empty.ย
The streets of the city feel busier than usual, the air thick of your already deteriorating patience, and an unnerving anxiety gnaws at your insides.ย
You don't have to attend๐you know it's a choice you could make, but why does the thought of not seeing him perform make your heart clench? Why does the thought of simply not seeing him make your steps quicken even more?
The doors to the bus ahead slam shut the second you stride up to it, and your hand comes up to pound at the heavy metal surface in anger. With a huff, you step back from the edge of the street, ignoring the stares being shot towards you by passersby while watching as the bus pulls away, leaving you standing uselessly on the sidewalk.
A person almost bumps into you once you turn around. Every taxi that you attempt to grab is immediately taken. You blink back some heat in your eyes, arms wrapping around your body as if trying to mask away the sinking feeling at the pit of your stomach. You brush past a sea of shoulders and weave through the bustling streets of the city. Seriously, why the hell is it so busy right now?ย
But even as you continue to float your way through the crowded streets, you could feel all the hope at getting to Joshuaโs performance deflate. The day really wasnโt all on your side right now, and it all seems to rain down weights at your feet, slowing you down with every step you take.ย
Why does it matter? You ask yourself inwardly, skepticism knitting at your brows. Why does his performance matter so much?ย
A sharp nudge at your shoulder blade makes you wince. And when you bring your eyes back up, you suddenly realise youโre the only one left standing at the pedestrian light, watching as the sea of people ahead of you cross without any worry. The other side seems so close yet so far.ย
Your gaze flickers up at the seconds counting down, your thoughts thinking back to Joshua, and you suddenly find yourself darting across the street.
Joshua's brow twitches faintly when his calloused fingers strum at his guitar strings.ย
Itโs a bit warmer this evening, the air feeling strangely muggier than usual. The note that leaves his guitar sounds slightly off-tune, but he doesnโt get himself to fix it. Instead, he hunches over to aimlessly grab at his guitar case right at his feet, snatching the coins he may have missed picking up before beginning to pack everything up.ย
Joshua glances around the beautifully lit-up busking area, eyes scanning over the dwindling crowd. Itโs a relatively small, circular area making up the heart of a tiny social sphere surrounded by local markets and restaurants. Despite that, thereโs an emptiness lingering around him, one that feels awfully familiar yet more noticeable than ever before. He gazes back down and pockets the coins with a practiced shrug, a movement that barely hides the disappointment nagging at him.
When a coin slips out of his grasp, he bends down to retrieve it. But as heโs about to come back up, a shadow seems to loom above him, and the outsole of a shoe nearly steps on his fingers.ย
Joshua picks his head back up, half-expecting for it to be a complete stranger and totally not half-hoping that it would beโฆ you, hunched over and out of breath.
โY/N?โ he asks, swiftly putting the coin away. โYou came.โย
You only give an imperceptible, apologetic nod at his words. Joshua glances around for a moment, before looking down at his guitar, and back to you.
He scratches the back of his neck bashfully. โYou just missed it.โ
A thin line forms at your lips as you sign, โIโm sorry.โ
โThereโs no need to be sorry.โ Joshua waves dismissively with his hands in a slight panic. โYou must have been busy, right?โ
You smile faintly at that, nodding once more, before taking out your phone to type:
I wanted to come
Once Joshua reads it, you see the way his eyes widen ever so slightly. โYou did?โ
The curve at your lips lifts even more, but just barely. Joshuaโs head falls down for a minute as he peers down at his feet, attempting to hide away a grin threatening at his own face, before looking back up at you and clearing basically nothing in his throat. He tucks his hands in the pockets of his jeans.ย
โIโm glad you came,โ he says, a sweet, appreciative tone to his words. You canโt hear it but you can see it in the way his eyes seem to smile as wide as his lips. โI wasโฆ kind of hoping you would show up. Notโฆ not in a weird way or anything! I just๐I think I would have felt a little more confident if you were here. A face that I know.โย
Your face scrunches together in a bit of worry and a pinch of surprise, but Joshua just shakes his head and chuckles it off.ย
The two of you stand there for a few moments. Itโs really your first time being right in the centre of the busking square. Fairy lights hang on the few trees that dot around the area. You could see some small and large groups of people huddling nearby, presumably watching other performers performing, but you and Joshua just stood adrift in your own little bubble, like two stars separate from their own galaxies.ย
The fairy lights cast a warm glow on Joshua's face, highlighting his hair that was floofed out in soft wisps around his forehead. You watch the way he runs his hand through it before taking a deep breath and returning to packing up his guitar. You casually wander close, looming over as you observe him in curiosity.ย
Once Joshua slings his guitar back over his shoulder, he turns back to you.ย
โAre youโฆโ he starts to ask while signing. โ...going back home now?โ
You glance down at the time on your phone, pursing your lips together lousily. You should probably head home to start back on your painting, but thatโs not what your thoughts are telling you to do, nor your heart. Or maybe your entire body, in fact.ย
โIf you are,โ Joshuaโs hands catch your attention again, then you focus in on his lips. โcan I walk you home again? Like last time? Itโs the least I could do since you ran all the way here. I have to give some worth to your effort, right?โย
You almost swear you could read the playfulness on his features, like the way his eyes crinkle subtly at the corners, or even in the way his head is tilted unnoticeably.
You can get used to that side of him, possibly.
You only abruptly turn around, leaving Joshua puzzled for a second, before heโs snatching the rest of his belongings and jogging to catch up to you. Then the two of you are walking side by side just as all the times before, the distance between you closing naturally.ย
The world youโre used to is already quiet, silent even, but itโs different now. Joshuaโs presence is loud, not in sound, but in the way it seems to comfortably fill the space around you. You donโt really know how to describe it without sounding awfully obvious thatโฆ you like when heโs around you; or, you like when youโre around him.ย
His guitar case occasionally bumps your hip at his side, and his every attempt to create more space only seems to bring him back to the tiny amount of distance between you two anyway. Then Joshua switches carrying the case from one shoulder to the other, and as he does, his free hand briefly brushes against yours. The touch is fleeting, but enough to send a jump to your stomach. He quickly looks at you with a sheepish grin, muttering an apology that you can't hear but can easily read in his expression.ย
The night air is cooler now, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves overhead and causing them to fall to the ground like feathers at your feet.ย
Joshua feels a light tap at his arm, and he turns to see you showing him a message on your phone.
Did your performance go well?ย
He smiles nimbly at that, but you can tell in the way his eyes seem to cast a shadow over his face that he's not entirely satisfied. He only nods slightly, a noncommittal gesture.ย
โIt was alright,โ he says while signing, fingers moving reluctantly. โThe crowd was small, and I wasnโt at my best. But itโs okay.โย
You frown a little, and the way he casts his head down to the ground makes your chest squeeze.ย
โMaybe it was good that you didnโt come,โ Joshua mumbles under his breath, and you hardly catch what he was saying, but you could sense the diffidence emitting from him. โWouldnโt want to disappoint you either.โย
Both of your footsteps slow down ever so slightly as you approach a familiar street corner, the dim glow of a lamppost shining down on the two of you. Joshua notices the pensive expression to your features as your fingers dance across your phone screen.ย
You hesitate for a moment before showing him.ย
You tried your best. Thatโs all that matters
Then youโre abrupt to take your phone away before Joshua could process your words, typing something else again before flipping your phone around for him to read.
You wouldnโt have disappointed me
Joshua stares at the simple message. A hearty sound seems to bubble out of his chest, then another, and another, before it turns into a brief fit of coughs and a mix of laughter altogether. You canโt help but giggle at his reaction. It's light and airy, like wind chimes dancing in the breeze, and it feels like breaking a sound barrier you didn't even know existed between the two of you.
When he returns his gaze to you, he grins again, beaming even, a sliver of teeth expressing relief and a newfound confidence.ย
โThank you,โ he tells you. โThat means a lot to me.โย
You nod your head coyly, and before Joshua can say anything else, youโre already turning around and beginning to walk. Yet just after the first few steps, a boom of thunder echoes in the distance, and a raindrop lands at the top of your head.ย
You stop and turn to see Joshua racing after you, and he stops right next to you.ย
โRain,โ he simply signs. โItโs raining.โ
And then, the two of you donโt even have to say anything before youโre running through the incoming rain together. You try to run as fast as you can without looking back because you know that Joshua is behind you, the rain beginning to fall down heavier and heavier as you dart through the streets and into the area where your apartment is located.ย
Joshua stops right at the entrance, the same place where he had stopped last time. He watches as you continue to dash away from him, before coming to a halt, and turning around to notice him standing there under the pouring rain.ย
Raindrops plaster in your hair and clothes as you face Joshua standing at the entrance of your apartment building. His hair is damp and matted to his forehead, damp clothes clinging to his frame as the rain running in rivulets down his face. Despite the downpour, his eyes meet yours with an unwavering gaze.
โAre you alright?โ he signs nearly frantically, and you squint your eyes to be able to see him more clearly.ย
While catching your breath, you motion for Joshua to come closer, shielding yourself under the small awning of your apartment building. He hesitates for a moment, glancing around as if assessing the situation, but then heโs jogging up to you, joining you under the small shelter of your building that could probably only fit two people.ย
Both of you stand there as you watch the rain pour down to the earth in front of you. Then you glance at Joshua, and then at your apartment, then back outside again. He canโt go home in this rain right now without a singular bit of protection.
A tug at Joshuaโs sleeves makes him turn to face you, softening at the way you look so concerned yetโฆ cute in your own little way.ย ย
Without any thinking, you gesture towards your apartment, as if silently offering him an invitation.
The surprise on Joshua's face is clear. His eyebrows shoot up, and his mouth falls open slightly. He glances back at the downpouring rain, then back at you with uncertainty.ย
โAre you sure?โ he asks.ย
You nod again, even opening the door for him and waiting for him to step inside. He hesitates again, but the apparent adamancy on your features brings some warmth to blossom through his chest. He fixes his guitar case on his shoulder and steps past you into the dry hallway, water from his hair and clothes dripping down to the ground.ย
Joshua follows you down the narrow hallway toward your apartment door, his shoes squeaking slightly on the tiled floor below, a slip of nervousness with every step he takes. The hallway is dimly lit, with a faint aroma of incense lingering in the air. You unlock the door and hold it open for him, gesturing for him to enter first. And as he steps past you, heโs immediately greeted with the warmth of your place.
You take off your own shoes right after him as he stands somewhat awkwardly in the middle of your apartment. Itโs smaller than he imagined, but itโs enough for him to recognise glimpses of your personality scattered around. Itโs cozy, minimalist, yet itโs home to you, and thatโs all that matters to him.ย
You appear back in front of him with a towel in your hands, and you hold it out to Joshua, who takes it from your grasp gratefully. He starts to dry his hair and face, the towel absorbing the rainwater and providing some warmth against his skin. As he does so, he steals glances around your apartment, catching sight of an easel holding up a large canvas.ย
There are other paintings on your walls too. He smiles to himself as he steps closer towards the canvas, the painting appearing unfinished and a bit weathered with all of its strokes, but nevertheless eye-catching, filling him with wonder about what the finished product may look like.ย
You emerge from your bedroom and scan around the room, and when your eyes land on Joshua, you find him peering down at your unfinished painting, a thoughtful expression on his face as he cards through his hair with the towel. He turns to you, eyes widening at the sight of you in a set of new, dry clothes, then shifts his gaze to what you're holding.
Itโs an oversized, grey hoodie, and it proudly displays the name of the museum that you frequent. You hold it out to Joshua with a shy look. He sets the towel aside and takes the hoodie from your hands. Immediately, you take a deep breath and face yourself away to let him change, and Joshua watches as you disappear into the small kitchen area, giving him a moment of privacy.
After propping his guitar case next to your easel, he strips off his wet shirt, replacing it with the dry, oversized hoodie. Itโs warm and extremely comfortable, smelling like itโs been freshly washed with a scent hinting at lavender, and instantly offers the relief he needed after running through the rain earlier.
Then Joshua gazes around your apartment again. Thereโs a bookshelf lined with art books and tiny succulents, a small couch with a knitted blanket draped over its arm, and a table with a collection of paintbrushes, unused palettes, and an endless collection of bottles of paint. Itโs a different sight than what heโs used to, thatโs for certain๐heโs used to microphone chords being tangled together, the worn leather of his guitar case at his fingertips, and the hum of music drifting through his life.ย
The sound of your footsteps echoes softly from the kitchen, drawing Joshua's attention away from his thoughts. You're holding two mugs in your hands, steam curling up from the brims, and the scent of herbal tea wafts through the air. You carefully hand one to him, before settling on the couch, snugly tucking your legs underneath yourself. Joshua follows suit right after, sitting down right next to you while taking a steady sip from the warm tea. He feels the warmth seep into his fingers as he cradles the mug in his hands.ย
He glances at you, noticing how relaxed you seem all curled up on the couch, the soft light casting a gentle glow on your face.
Joshua leans down to set the mug back on the table, catching your attention.ย
โThank you,โ he mouths quietly, signing to you.ย
You offer a small nod in response, then take out your phone to type:
Is it still raining hard outside?ย
Joshua leans back on the couch to listen, narrowing his eyes intently. He still hears the rain outside, but it seems to have calmed down quite a bit. Yet the thought of him staying longer in your place makes his ears burn hotter than the steaming cup of tea in his hands.
He turns back at you and nods his head, knowing itโs a bit of a white lie but deciding that itโs worth staying just a little longer with you. He watches the way your face shifts into a contemplative look.ย
Your fingers dance along with your screen once more.ย
You can stay until it stops
โAre you sure?โ Joshua questions incredulously. โI donโt want to be a nuisance.โย
You shake your head firmly, the smile playing on your lips widening just a touch. It's clear in your eyes that youโre genuinely telling him itโs okay, and that assurance softens something in Joshua's chest. He glances down at his mug on the table, staring at the way the steam curls up into the air like delicate wisps.
It feels almost natural to do this๐to sit here under the excuse of sheltering away from the rain, but really, it's a bit more than that, more obvious than what you both assume. For some reason, itโs easier to be around each other than sitting alone in your separate worlds of sound and art.ย
When Joshua drinks the rest of his tea, he catches a glimpse of his guitar case standing right next to your easel, and a light flickers on his head.ย
โSince you missed my performance,โ he starts to say, signing a bit flimsily and unconfidently. โI was wondering if I couldโฆ maybe sing for you?โย
You cock your head to the side, curiosity piqued. โSing?โ
โSing.โ Joshua copies right after you. He remembers when you mentioned that even though you canโt hear, you can still feel the vibrations, read the chords and lyrics, and enjoy the music like others.
And while he feels nervous, the way his heart flutters at the thought of you listening to him sing makes him feel a bitโฆ hopeful, confident, like he told you before. He likes to think that your presence alone is much more comforting and reassuring than a group of strangers gathered around him in the busking area.ย
Joshua takes a deep breath, before standing up and fetching his guitar gently from its case, resting the instrument on his knee. The rich scent of wood fills the air as he tunes it, deftly plucking each string with practiced fingers until it comes to the correct note. You could only watch in awe, glancing between the guitar and his focused expression. His brows knit together tightly and his eyes come to a close for a few moments๐you canโt seem to tear your own gaze off him.ย
When he finishes tuning, he opens his eyes, seemingly noticing how attentive youโre to his every move. A faint blush creeps up his neck, and he casts his eyes down for a moment before meeting yours again. He clears his throat awkwardly, adjusting the guitar strap on his shoulder.
โCan Iโฆโ he begins to ask, holding out his hand towards you. You peer down at it, noticing how it hovers expectantly between you.ย
As your hand is about to brush against his, Joshua gently takes your hand with his own, his calloused fingertips meeting your soft ones briefly. He guides your hand on the body of his guitar. Your fingers rest lightly against the smooth wood, feeling the vibrations as he strums a few chords softly.ย
Your eyes widen as you look back up at him, surprised at how vivid the sensation is right at the ends of your fingers.ย
โYou can read my lips too.โ Then he pauses, before continuing, โif you want to, at least.โย
With that, he plays a few chords, the vibrations running through the guitar and to your hand, even down your body. And when his lips start to move, you try to focus on his every word, watching the shape of his mouth as he sings.ย
For years, youโre used to reading sound with your eyes. Sure, youโve touched instruments, like the piano in the music room during elementary school or the drumset you would see backstage before a school concert. But no one ever played them๐nobody ever played for you.ย
So when you read from your eyes, thereโs always that second of disconnect when you blink, and the inner anxiety that you could miss even the tiniest detail of the music. However, everytime you blink now, you could feel Joshua singing and playing right at the ends of your fingertips, as if he was telling you that itโs okay to keep your eyes closed without worrying, simply because he was right there.ย
This is what passion looks like on someone else, and for some reason seeing all that unfold before you makes it all more beautiful.ย
You notice Joshua closes his eyes or peers down sometimes when he gets more focused, yet it doesnโt take anything away from his singing. The way his fingers effortlessly glide over the strings of his guitar, or the subtle lift to his lips when heโs singing๐you know that his heart is completely in it.ย
Itโs beautiful. Heโsโฆ beautiful.
The song ends before you hardly notice. You keep your hand resting on the guitar, the vibrations still buzzing ever so slightly on your fingertips after Joshua strums the final set of chords.ย
Joshua shifts uncomfortably for a moment, his gaze flickering between your eyes and the guitar in his lap. He scratches the back of his neck, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips.ย
โDid you... like it?โ he asks tentatively while searching your face, signing the words as he speaks.
You merely blink up at him too, as if youโre still stuck processing everything and nothing all at once, before nodding reassuringly.ย
Joshua's expression softens with relief, his shoulders relaxing visibly as he lets out a quiet sigh. He glances down at your hand still resting on his guitar, a certain warmth spreading through his chest at the way you're looking at him.
โYou felt it, didn't you?โ he asks quietly. โThe vibrations?โ
You consider nodding again, but instead, you reach back for your phone to type.
It was beautiful. I havenโt felt music like that in a long time
Joshua canโt help but smile to himself, and thereโs no point in trying to hide it anymore when he does. He likes knowing that heโs happy around you, likes feeling himself be happy around you. Itโs a feeling that feels easy, natural, like he doesn't have to try too hard.ย
He gently places his guitar back in its case, the soft click of the latch echoing in the quiet room. You notice his fingers linger on the case for a moment, before he turns back to you.
โI think that I was right about what I said earlier,โ he affirms, and there seems to be content hinting on his features. โabout feeling more confidentโฆ when youโre around. I just wanted to thank you for that.โ
Of course, he was nervous, anxious if anything๐but in between all that nerves was the comfort of someone who listened to him more intently than any audience ever could.ย
Joshua clears his throat and peers around after setting his case back down, trying to brush off the fact that youโre sitting way more closer to him than before. Youโre typing something on your phone again, the bright screen emitting on your face and making you bat your eyelashes together.ย
You lightly tap on his shoulder to get his attention, showing your message:
You can always practice here, if you want
โPractice? Here? You want๐I can practice here?โ The disbelief in his face makes you purse your lips together endearingly. โI hardly ever have the chance to practice because Jeonghan๐my roommate๐is sick of me being loud, at this point. Iโve been saving up to move out, but itโs been hard.โ
When he realises how fast he spoke and the way youโre watching him closely, all he does is smile faintly.
โIโll be sure to use the opportunity wisely,โ he assures you, and thereโs that lightheartedness back on his face again.
Your knee rubs against his when you stand up to put away the empty mugs back in the kitchen. It gives Joshua the chance to look around your place again, and his eyes settle on your unfinished painting on the other side of the room.ย
โCould youโฆโ he starts to ask once youโre walking back to the couch, his fingers moving unsurely in the air. โCould you tell me about your paintings?โย
At first, thereโs a bit of hesitancy in your movements. But the genuinity you see in his gaze seems to tug at your heartstrings more than ever. You show him a message on your phone:
As long as you tell me about your songs
Joshuaโs eyes light up at your message, a grin spreading across his face.ย
โItโs a deal,โ he says.
You could probably count the individual dust specks floating in the sunbeams pouring inside the classroom.ย
Warm water trickles down your hands and into the sink below as you rinse off some paint brushes, before placing them in a discoloured, paint-covered bucket right beside you.
The museum has a variety of art classes, mostly for people who aspire to get their artwork shown in exhibitions. You arenโt any different from them๐you all seek the same goal, which is to be heard and recognised for your work; this small inkling to be known or even vaguely known by someone.
Once you finish cleaning up, you dry your hands on a rag and take a moment to look around the desolate classroom. The smell of paint and the sight of easels and canvases everywhere feels like home, but lately youโve been questioning if itโs actually home, or just a temporary refuge. The question nags at you as you gather your belongings to put in your worn-out tote bag.
Stepping out of the classroom, you start to walk through the nearly empty museum, passing by hallways with art ranging from contemporary, to modern, to as far back as the classics. Youโve probably been through these halls a countless number of times๐retaining everything from the title of the piece to the artistโs name and technique๐and you would still be in utter awe.ย
However, just as you reach the main area of the museum, a figure peering up at a painting catches your eyes. The guitar case that hung on his shoulder stuck out like a sore thumb among every other person in the room, and the sight makes you chuckle to yourself because you recognise Joshua instantly.ย
You stand there for a moment, observing him from a distance as he studies the painting with a thoughtful expression. His fingers tap lightly against the strap of his guitar case, and you feel like if you focus even more, you could possibly see the thoughts wrapping around his head.ย
Joshua glances at his phone for a millisecond before turning around, abruptly stopping when he sees the sight of you standing not that far away from him. The corners of his lips lift into a gentle smile upon seeing you, or his face seems to almost brighten up entirely, you can hardly tell. He brushes a hand through his hair before offering you a small wave, which you reciprocate back with one of your own without any hesitation.ย
Thereโs a rush of warmth that flows through you as he approaches up to you.
You stare at him quizzically as you lift your hands up to sign, โWhat are you doing here?โย
Joshua shoots a bashful look down at his own feet before picking himself back up.ย
โI wanted to see you,โ he says quietly while signing, and his hand movements are as shy as his words.ย
His words hardly process for a few moments, and Joshua thinks he might have overstepped. The hopeful glint in his eyes dims subtly, replaced by a shy apology already forming in his hands at the shock to your features. Maybe wanting to see you was a bit too forward of him.ย
But itโs the way your hands nearly come in contact with his own to dismiss his worries that stops him mid-apology. You shake your head slightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips.ย
โIโฆโ You start, then pause, because Joshuaโs focused, unwavering, yet patient gaze tugs at something inside of you. Gathering your thoughts, you continue signing slowly, โI thought about seeing you too.โย
A surprised, somewhat choked laugh escapes Joshua's lips, a sound as light and unexpected as what you just said. Relief washes over him, clear as the day outside and the sunlight streaming through the museum windows. He seems to hold his breath for a moment before a grin splits his face apart.ย
โReally?โ he signs back, and itโs cute seeing how expressive he is when heโs surprised.ย
โYes,โ You reply back firmly, hopefully being able to emphasize it enough with your fisted hand.
Joshua rubs at his nose nervously, and even the gesture being so small feels charming somehow. The weight of your art supplies feels lighter in your bag than they have in a while.ย
โI have some time before practice though,โ he shares, pondering lightly. โWould you like to grab a bite to eat first?โ
Your lips lift at the offer, and you scramble a hand in your bag to retrieve your phone. But your fingers fumble, encountering only paint brushes and sketchbooks. Panic starts to rise in your chest as you frantically dig deeper within your bag. Your phone. It's not there. Itโs probably back in the classroom.
You shoot an innocent look at Joshua, catching sight of his worried, furrowed brows. You try to explain to him with your hands, but your movements are hurried and you could tell he didnโt entirely understand. So you settle with a helpless shrug and a motion towards a deeper part of the museum, and he seems to catch on.ย
Joshua feels the hesitation in his step when he sees you turn around and begin walking away. Considering for a second, he catches up to you quickly, the sounds of his shoes bouncing off the museum floors.ย
He follows right next to you quietly, taking in the museumโs atmosphere as you navigate through the familiar halls. When the two of you reach a room, you hold the door open for him, and Joshua swears he hasnโt really seen anything like this before.ย
The room is large and very open, the natural lighting from the outside flowing in from the windows. Unused easels and canvases stood at the corners of the room. Thereโs a long, wooden table perched in the middle of the room, and a whiteboard that takes up a small portion of the wall. Joshua takes the time to look around as you dash to the cleaning station where you were putting up the supplies, and there was your phone๐sitting idly with a few drops of water on its screen that you wipe away.
Joshua is standing with his arms crossed at the whiteboard, eyes squinting as if he was trying to discern the faded markings. You stand right next to him once you come up, bringing your gaze also to the whiteboard.ย
He turns to you, seemingly inquisitive. โIs this an art class?โ
You manage a nod. But you feel like it isnโt enough of an answer and decide to pull out your phone instead.ย
Itโs an art class for the deaf, and for those who want to show their work in the exhibitions here
Joshuaโs mouth opens in awe as he reads the words on your screen. A flicker of understanding lights up his eyes as he processes the information.
โThat's amazing,โ he tells you while signing back, expression visibly softening. โI had no idea they had classes like this here. How long have you been coming?โ
He watches as you look back down to type on your phone, taking the few seconds as a chance for his eyes to drift over your features, silently taking in the concentration etched on your face. When you finish typing, you show him the screen.ย
Just for the past year. Thereโs only a few of us in the class. Sometimes Iโm the only person who shows up though
โAh,โ Joshua only hums contemplatively. He glances around once more, as if trying to see the room through your perspective. โThat must feel lonely sometimes.โ
You nod, letting out a low sigh as you type out your next message:
It can be. But it's also peaceful. Gives me time to think and create without any distractions
โI get it.โ Joshua nods with a small smile. โYouโre dedicated. I admire that.โย
Your heart swells a little at his words. It's always a vulnerable thing๐sharing a piece of your world with someone else, but Joshuaโs presence seems to make it all a little less daunting, a little more comfortable.ย
Joshuaโs eyes settle on a corner where a few canvases lean against the wall, seemingly forgotten or awaiting their turn under someoneโs hand. He steps closer to it, running his fingers lightly over the rough edges of one of the frames, then turns back to you.
โDo you have any of your work shown here in the museum?โ he asks curiously.ย
A rush of emotions floods through you, a frown caressing your faceโpride sprinkled with uncertainty, hope clouded by doubt. You've always dreamed of showcasing your work, to be recognised and understood through your art. However, you feel a twinge of self-consciousness creeping in, because the dream of one day having your work displayed alongside the masterpieces lining the museum walls feels both distant and impossibly close at the same time.
Sensing your shift in mood, Joshua raises his eyebrows in question. You fumble with your phone again, typing out a response and showing it to him.ย
Iโm not sure if my work is good enough for that
Joshua's expression softens even further. โBut you wouldn't keep creating it if you didn't believe in it, would you?โ
Oh, heโs got you there, you think. A certain warmth starts to spread through you at his perceptiveness, a twitch at your lips from a suppressed smile trying to break free.
โAnd even if you donโt believe in it right now,โ Joshua starts, placing himself right next to you gazing down at the empty canvases waiting to be touched. โI believe in you. I mean it.โ
You exhale softly, a weight lifting off your shoulders as you absorb his words. For the first time in a while, you begin to see your art through a different lensโnot just as smears on a canvas, but as a reminder that this is something you love.
Itโs been a while since someoneโs said that they believe in you, and it hits you right in the heart.ย
โIs the painting in your place the one you want to finish for the museum?โ
You nod in response to that, though the sullen look to your face doesnโt seem to exactly agree.ย
Thereโs an exhibition being held just a few weeks from now, which is also the deadline for submitting your painting, which was being judged. The pressure has been getting to you, admittedly, and it feels like time is slipping away faster than you can paint. But maybe, just maybe, youโll get back home later today and pick up your paint brush without it feeling like a burden to hold.ย
Joshua says something you donโt catch quick enough when you face back to him, and you tilt your head in question.
โIโm not sure if I did the sign right.โ And then he brings his hands up, signing to you, โGood luck.โย
Heat crawls up your neck to his words, and a smile fights its way through the lingering uncertainties and stretches shamelessly across your face.ย
His hand comes awfully close to yours when he brings them down to the side.ย
You draw yourself away when you feel your phone vibrate in your hand, only seeing that it was some useless notification. Joshua fixes himself up as well, turning to you fully, and you both exchange shy grins.
โFood?โ He brings his hand up to his mouth, almost mimicking like he was putting a piece of food there.ย
You adjust the strap of your bag and double-check to make sure you have your phone with you, before nodding. The two of you head out of the classroom together.
โSo what youโre saying is that youโre both basically dating.โย
The way your face scrunches up in visible disgust to Seungkwanโs words has Wheein shoving the younger boy with a daggered stare, nearly making the stick of tanghulu fall from his grasp.ย
โYou canโt just claim that,โ Wheein retorts back.
โHe walks Y/N home! Heโs been inside their place! He wants to see them! Y/N doesnโt even let us come inside their place these days and yet hereโs this guy waltzing his way into their heart!โย
โI canโt tell if youโre insulting him or thanking him,โ Wheein points out playfully, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.ย
โI'm not doing either,โ Seungkwan protests, feigning a snarky look. โI'm just stating the facts. If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it's probably a duck.โ
At this point, your friends are speaking almost too fast for you to catch everything being said, but all you could do is bring your head down and gaze to your footsteps, a subtle, amused grin playing to your lips. Theyโre arguing about your life, and yet it makes you feelโฆ acknowledged, seen, heard, because your world before seemed to revolve solely around you and your art only for the longest you can recall.ย
An adamant tap lands on your shoulder, and you bring your head back up to face Wheein.ย
โIsnโt the exhibition next week?โ she asks, signing with a sense of urgency in her expression.
Your face falls a little, and the thought of the deadline and exhibition seems to loom over you like a dark storm cloud. It feels like yesterday you were just staring at a blank canvas, and now every inch of it is covered in a mess of colours that is undeniably far from what you can consider a masterpiece.
Wheein and Seungkwan could already tell by the weak nod that you give that youโre feeling the pressure of it all. The two of them exchange a knowing look with each other, and it isnโt long before you feel another tap at your shoulder. Wheein motions to something up ahead, and as you face forward in order to see what it was, a hand grabs at your sleeve and you find yourself being dragged forward by your two best friends.
You can hardly control where your feet are landing in front of you, and the only thing you could catch ahead is a crowd and the familiar sight of what appears to be the busking centre. There must be some kind of performance going on, and it peaks your interest.ย
The faces surrounding you are all bleeding out enjoyment, with their wide eyes and mouths blossomed into large grins. Their hands are all clapping in unison, some even mouthing the words to lyrics you can hardly make out.
You donโt recognise the small band thatโs performing. But then you imagine Joshua being the one at the centre of the crowd, playing his heart out, captivating the audience just like how he captivated you, and the disappointment melts away.ย
You find yourself standing at almost the core of the crowd, with Wheein and Seungkwan clapping and cheering animatedly on either side of you. In an odd way, this position feels familiar, as if youโve stood from this exact same angle before.
You're close enough to see the raw energy pouring off the musicians, the way their instruments become extensions of themselves๐the same as Joshua sitting across from you on the couch with his guitar in lap, eyes closed in concentration, and fingers dancing effortlessly along the strings. The memory of that night floods your mind, and you can almost feel the vibrations of his music under your fingertips once again.
It all brings a smile to your face.ย
As the music surrounds you, you can see the passion radiating from each band memberโs face, carrying away the weight of the upcoming exhibition and the pressures you've been feeling. In this moment of respite, it's just you, your friends, and the music.
When you get back home to your apartment that night, you find yourself focusing on clicking through the photos on your camera roll, almost like you were searching for a particular one.ย
And then you find it๐the photo you took at the busking square all those weeks ago, the photo you took of that man singing and strumming along his guitarโฆ
โฆthe photo that you took of Joshua Hong, where you didnโt know his name at the time. And now, heโs standing in the middle of your thoughts, and singing directly to your heart.ย
Itโs almost suffocating to be sitting in this chair right now. Your posture is stiff as a rock, legs shaking underneath your hands that were folded on your lap, other people๐other artists just like you๐surrounding you like flies.ย
You feel excruciatingly hot in your outfit, a formal one that you picked from the depths of your wardrobe that still somehow fits your body still. Itโs been a while since you put this much effort into your appearance๐you can hardly remember the last time you dressed up like this, honestly๐and the unfamiliarity of it all prickles at your skin.ย
The day of the exhibition is more chaotic than you expected for it to be. Itโs practically held to the public, where almost anyone can walk in and watch the event for themselves.ย
Across the vast room, you catch glimpses of other artists, seeing their diverse styles of clothing. Thereโs a woman with a shaved head and a tattoo snaking down her arm; at the far end, a man in a crisp suit, frown etched at his face, large glasses, with a neatly trimmed beard.
The walls are covered with various works of art, each piece representing the countless hours of dedication and passion of the artists. Itโs a grand showcase, bigger than any small ones youโve seen. The large hall that youโre standing in has been temporarily transformed into a visual showcase where curators and critics would walk around and judge the pieces. By the end of the night, only about half of the submissions would be considered to be permanently displayed in the museum. The thought makes your stomach churn with anxiety.
Joshua had sent you a simple Good luck! Youโll do amazing :) text before you arrived at the museum. It comforts you a little bit, but not entirely๐you feel like youโd feel better if he could be here with you in person. He couldnโt come because he had to look after the cafรฉ. Wheein was also here somewhere too participating in the exhibition, clearly not anywhere near where you were placed in the vast hall.ย
The exhibition begins with a formal speech from the museum's director, who talks about the importance of art in society and how this exhibition aims to bring fresh perspectives to the world. As the speech concludes, curators and critics start moving around the large room, closely examining each piece and approaching all the other artists.ย
Your eyes follow a few as they approach your painting. They stand before it, whispering among themselves, their expressions indecipherable. You wish you could hear their thoughts, but instead, you focus on their body language๐the subtle nods, the thoughtful gazes. Some of them barely have their lips moving for you to be able to read them, while others are simply not speaking at all. At the corner of your eyes, youโre able to make out a few artists speaking with confidence to the curators, explaining their creative process and the message behind their pieces. Disappointment claws anxiously at your chest.ย
The sign language interpreter that is supposed to accompany you doesnโt show up until after a few crucial moments with curators have passed. By the time she arrives, introducing herself and quickly apologising for the long delay, youโre already feeling a sense of defeat settling in, struggling to muster the enthusiasm in your hands as you greet her back.
You have a hard time connecting with some of the visitors who stop by, heart sinking even more when they pass by your painting without pausing. Their attention is clearly drawn elsewhere๐thatโs all you can think about as you watch them move on; their indifference is practically slicing through the air like a knife.ย
Itโs like youโre invisible.ย
In the back of your mind, you figured this would happen. It wasnโt entirely your best work, or the best youโve put your efforts in. For some reason painting didnโt come as naturally to you as it did before. If anything, it felt forced. The pressure to create something worthy had left you with a piece that felt uninspiring, meaningless.ย
You arenโt meant for this. This grand exhibition hall, the feeling of being judged๐it all felt like a journeyโs away from the joy you used to find in simply creating. The other artists around you seem to belong in this environment more than you do. They stood proudly beside their work, and all you could do right now was let the lump in your throat tighten even more.ย
You arenโt meant for this.ย
By the time the big announcement comes, you catch a glimpse of the evening sky outside the large windows of the museum. A hush falls over the room as the museum director steps back forward. Even as you let your eyes drift between the director and your interpreter right next to you, you already knew deep within you that the night wasnโt ending in your favour.ย
โWe congratulate all the artists whose works have been chosen,โ the director says warmly, listing off names that resonate through the hall. Each name being called is met with applause and cheers.
Your name isn't called. You would know if it was if the expression on your interpreterโs face wasnโt so solemn, the meek curve at her lips that she wears doing hardly anything to ease you. Despite the sinking feeling, you send her a small, acknowledging nod, offering a tight-lipped smile of your own.ย
Wheein finds you when the evening starts winding down and the museum begins to clear away. She taps lightly at your shoulder as youโre packing your belongings, yet the eager look on her face is quick to fade once she sees the dejection painted all over yours.ย
โYouโre not going to stay for a while?โ Wheein asks, signing with concern, her brows furrowing as she watches you continue to pack your things. โI heard thereโs an after dinner event later on, and theyโre letting anyone join. Maybe you could meet some of the other artists!โ
Letting out a quiet exhale, you shake your head, the movement small and defeated as you sign back, โGoing to head home. Tired.โ
โAre you sure?โ Wheein insists. โI was planning to introduce you to some people๐โ
โItโs okay,โ You sign quickly, interjecting her words. But the pout and puppy-eyes that she gives makes you roll your eyes. โCongratulations. Iโm so proud of you.โย
A grin is swift to cross her face, and a few seconds later sheโs wrapping her arms around you in a tight hug. You return the hug back, feeling a bit of your disappointment melt away in the face of your genuine happiness.ย
โI'll text you later,โ Wheein signs after pulling back. โPlease get home safe, okay? I love you!โ
The dramatic kisses she blows in your direction make you laugh despite yourself, and you nod, giving her a small wave as you head out of the museum.
The cool night air nips at your cheek when you step outside, and you feel way less constricted in your clothes than being inside the museum. As you walk briskly down the street, you let the night clear away your muddled thoughts. Your feet seem to guide you, almost on autopilot, not quite ready to head home and face the solitude thatโs waiting for you.
You pass by a few late-night cafรฉs, convenience stores, and small shops, their warm lights spilling out onto the pavement.ย
The sight reminds you of Joshua.ย
And for some reason, thatโs all it takes for your feet to pick up its pace. Thereโs almost determination you can feel in each step that you take, the thoughts of the exhibition pressing farther and farther into the back of your mind. If thereโs anything that could make you forget everything that has happened today, itโs just seeing him for a moment. A singular moment.ย
The lights of the cafรฉ switch off when youโre coming up to it. You come to a halt in your tracks, and your gaze lands on a lone figure stepping outside with its back turned towards you.
After a minute or two, the figure turns slowly, and you recognise Joshua's face illuminated by the fading light of the cafรฉ's sign. There's a moment of hesitation before he notices you standing there just a couple of steps away, and when he does, his features seem to light up even brighter than the flickering stars above. But itโs quick to melt away when he watches the way youโre trudging up to him.
His eyes flicker over your face for a moment. โWhat happened?โย
You could see the worry in the way he signs to you, his eyes searching your tired ones. He peers at you so softly that it nearly makes your heart ache. But thereโs a comfort there that you desperately find yourself wanting to cling to.
Without a word, you simply lean your body forward, letting your head fall onto Joshuaโs shoulder. His presence emits a warmth that brings you back from the high of cloudy thoughts and back down to the surface of safety.
Joshuaโs eyes widen imperceptibly for a second, before a quiet understanding washes over his face. His arms twitch at the weight of you leaning on him, and then almost hesitantly, he slowly wraps them around you, fingers brushing against the small of your back tentatively, delicately, as if unsure its welcome.ย
His warmth seeps through your clothes and settles comfortably within the hollow spaces of your chest. You can feel his heartbeat, steady and reassuring, against your ribs, and smell the lingering scent of coffee on his shirt. A sigh escapes your lips, a soft exhale that contains the tension and worries accumulated throughout the day.
Joshua doesnโt press you. He can feel everything you feel in his embrace, everything you wish to let out. He can feel your dejection, your disappointment, knowing that your efforts, all the blood, sweat, and tears you put into your art had fallen short of your dreams. But he doesnโt pry or question. He simply holds you, and perhaps thatโs all that matters right now๐he canโt let you fall apart. Not in his arms, anyway.ย
You donโt know how long the two of you stand there, right under the dim cafรฉ light that casts down on your figures. When Joshua feels you shift in his hold, he loosens his grip ever so slightly, gaze caressing over your face for a few moments. His eyes hold a tenderness that makes your breath hitch.
Thereโs a reluctance in your movements as you start to peel yourself away from him. Joshua slowly lets his arms unfold from around you, but his hands linger for a moment, as if hesitant to fully let you go just yet. His expression remains gentle, silently asking if youโre okay; if thereโs anything more he can do.ย
โIt didnโt go well, did it?โ Joshua asks warily. โThe exhibition?โ
All you do is shake your head, and a small resigned sigh tumbles out of you.ย
Joshua purses his lips together, brows knitting together in worry. He knows the sting of rejection all too well and how deep it could cut.ย
โIโm sorry,โ he mutters quietly, fingers moving with a grace through the air that matches the empathy in his eyes. Heโs been getting more confident recently in his signing. โBut it doesnโt mean your art isnโt worth anything. You tried your best, and maybe thatโs what matters. Remember what I told you before?โ
You tilt your head in question, waiting for him to continue.ย
Then, all Joshua does is smile faintly, before picking his hands up to sign. He starts by putting his hand in a fist and sticking his pinky finger upward. Then he points his index finger to his forehead, before bringing it down into his open hand. Next he fixes his right hand downward, forming the other one into a cup shape, and dips the fingers of his right hand into it.ย
And finally, he points to you.ย
โI believe in you.โย
The words fly off his fingers and wrap around you like a blanket. The proud look that he captures on his face is washed away in a fit of timidity, and you canโt help but chuckle, a genuine, warm sound that fills the night air, even if you didnโt notice how loud it is. It's the first real laugh you've had all night. And when Joshua hears it, a blush creeps up his neck, reaching to his cheeks. A relieved smile spreads across his lips.ย
When you gaze back up at him, the weight of the day feels a little lighter. Slowly, you lift your hands up to sign, ensuring each movement is clear and deliberate.ย
โI missed you.โ
Joshuaโs expression softens even further. He watches your hands, then meets your eyes, understanding completely. He lifts his hands to respond, fingers moving tenderly through the air, and responding with his voice,
sypnosis: what happens when you wake up as your best friend (crush, actually, but nobody needs to know about that) one day...
warnings: mention of being drunk
word count: 1.1k
event masterlist
you are currently sitting on a very uncomfortable and, unfortunately, familiar bed right now. the bed is not yours, and neither is the room. it belongs to a man you know very well, though you would rather not know him at all (lies). the biggest problem is trying (and failing) to ignore the fact that said man is your best friend.
you exhale sharply. this is not how you were expecting your day to go. youโre internally grateful that it is the weekend and you wonโt have to miss a class because of this. small wins, you suppose.
the feeling of being in someone elseโs body is weird, no matter how familiar the person is. youโve always seen the sharp eyes, the big hands and the defined body of your best friend, but have never felt it like this. it is a strangely intimate feeling. you stare at your hands, opening and closing them, inspecting every single crease of the skin on each knuckle.
somewhere in the back of your head, a little voice which sounds suspiciously like seungkwanโs points out how you can now look at these minute details even when you switch back. you flush at the idea but dismiss it.
standing up, you go to the full length mirror in the corner of the room. it feels like a requirement to see yourself in soonyoungโs body, to tell yourself that it is finally time to meet your soulmate, even though youโve known him since practically forever.
he is pretty, to say the least. the bedhead is adorable and his eyes shine as if they house galaxies. youโve always known heโs handsome, even told him so when both of you were drunk enough, but you were always so shy to actually look at him and admire. so you take your time to fully look at him, take in the slope of his nose and the plush of his lips, the softness of his cheeks and the tiny imperfections on his skin.
just as you are contemplating having a peek beneath his tee, youโre broken out of your daze, wincing when you hear a sudden thud from outside the door. you internally groan at the prospect of dealing with his roommates in this situation.
โsoonyoung?โ a muffled voice calls out. you sigh, not really wanting to interact with his roommates, but open the door. youโre met with the sight of a ruffled wonwoo with bed hair.
โjihoon called, asked me to wake you up. why do you look like that?โ he points to the furrow of your brows.
โgood morning wonwoo, y/n here.โ
his face is comical as it goes through the five stages of grief and realisation dawns on his face. you wouldโve laughed at his dilemma too, if the situation wasnโt so annoying.
you sigh again, louder this time, and stomp back into the room. you pick up soonyoungโs phone, grab wonwooโs arm on the way out of the room, take the car keys and go straight to their shared car. you silently hand him the keys and get in the passenger seat. he wordlessly gets in as well and starts driving to your dorms.
you and wonwoo have always gotten along well, but this has to be the most tense silence you have ever experienced with him, aside from when the two of you get competitive while playing games.
he finally breaks the quiet when you are near the dorms. โdo you really hate the idea of him being your soulmate so much?โ
you let out an incredulous scoff, โiโve dealt with this idiot for too many years, now youโre telling me i have to deal with him my entire life?โ he giggles at that, โyouโre glad itโs him, arenโt you?โ
โ...of course i am. he just has shit taste in mattresses so i barely got any sleep after the swap.โ both of you give each a smile, well aware how grumpy you get with lack of sleep, and with that you reach your dorms.
soonyoung visits you so much that the receptionist lets you guys in easily, and you punch in the code to your room when you reach the door. wonwoo trails behind you as you make your way to your bedroom, to find soonyoungโ or youโ sprawled across the bed.
weird is an understatement for what you feel when you see yourself like this, but you push it aside. instead, you simply switch on the lights and turn off the fan, a surefire way to wake you up. as expected, soonyoung groans and sits up in a haze, swaying lightly before blinking and actually shrieking as soon as hisโ herโs?โ eyes land on you. both you and wonwoo wince from the sheer volume of the panicked screech.
โshh, shh, shh,โ you hurry forward to press your palm against his mouth, โthe walls are thin, itโs just us, stop yelling!โ
wonwoo excuses himself out of the room, though neither of you notice, because only a few seconds later, you feel like the room is floating upside down and suddenly, youโre facing soonyoung, still with his hand over your mouth.
shit, youโd forgotten that touching reserves the switch. both of you freeze as soon as your eyes meet, unsure what to do next. there is an awkward silence, and it really makes your brain itch because silences around soonyoung are not something that exist.
โyou didnโt let me enjoy the day even a little as you,โ soonyoung pouts, voice uncharacteristically soft. the complaint is so sudden and just so soonyoung, you canโt help but snort. you decide to be bold, figuring you have nothing to lose anyway.
โi mean, you can enjoy the day with me instead?โ
his eyes widen as you directly address the elephant in the room. โare you really my soulmate?โ he whispers, leaning forward in anticipation but also nibbling on his lip, as if he is afraid this will turn out to be a dream.
you cup his cheeks in response, the weight in your palms somehow feeling as if it belongs there, โof course i am, silly. weโre here, arenโt we?โ seeing him nervous isnโt new, but its still unfamiliar, and it really makes you forget all about teasing him or acting annoyed.
โbecauseโฆi like you a lot.โ he avoids your gaze as he mutters the confession, and all you can do is get so incredibly endeared. โi like you a lot too, baby,โ you lean forward to press your lips against his forehead as silent reassurance, a promise that you will stay for eternity.
fate has, after all, already given you a reason to stay.